Bioactive phytochemicals in apple cultivars from the Portuguese protected geographical indication “Maçã de Alcobaça:” Basis for market segmentation

ABSTRACT

Phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of eight apple (Malus domestica) cultivars (“Casa Nova,” “Fuji,” “Golden Delicious,” “Granny Smith,” “Jonagored,” “Reinette Grise,” “Royal Gala,” and “Starking”) from the “Maçã de Alcobaça” protected geographic indication, Portugal, were characterized to support market segmentation based on phytochemical content. Total phenolics, flavonoids, and anthocyanin contents, individual polyphenols and antioxidant activity were assessed in the flesh and skin of fruit at the ripe stage. A market segmentation of apple cultivars based on these bioactive phytochemicals is proposed. Fruit eaten with the peel can be segmented in three classes: (1) the flavonoid-rich “Starking,” “Reineta,” “Galaxy,” “Casa Nova,” Jonagored;” (2) the quercetin-rich “Fuji,” “Galaxy,” “Casa Nova;” and (3) flavonol and procyanidin-rich “Starking,” “Reinette,” “Jonagored,” “Casa Nova.” When apples were peeled before consumption, two phytochemical classes were proposed: (1) the flavonoid-rich “Reinette” and “Casa Nova,” and the (2) chlorogenic acid-rich “Reineta,” “Casa Nova,” and “Starking.”

KEYWORDS:

• Ascorbic acid
• Antioxidants
• Flavonoid
• Malus domestica
• Polyphenols
• Phytochemicals