Amit Bahukhandi
G. B. Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment and Sustainable Development, Kosi-Katarmal, Almora, Uttarakhand (India)
Title: Variation in polyphenolics and Antioxidant Activity of Traditional Apple Cultivars from West Himalaya, Uttarakhand
Biography
Biography: Amit Bahukhandi
Abstract
Fruits are reported rich source of health benefit compounds, such as polyphenols and antioxidants. Regular consumption of fruits is known to reduce the risk of several degenerative diseases including cardiovascular and cancer. Polyphenols, which naturally present in fresh apples (Malus x domestica), are widely acknowledged as an antioxidant. However, the biochemical attributes of the cultivars of apple from west Himalaya are not systematically explored. In the present study, attempts were made to quantify the polyphenolic content and antioxidant activities in fully ripened fruits of 3 traditional apple cultivars namely Benoni, Fanny and Rymer growing at different locations of Uttarakhand (west Himalaya), India. Results revealed that phenolic (0.94-7.00 mg GAE/g fw), flavonoid (1.02-9.86 mg QE/g fw), flavonol (0.77-6.92 mg CE/g fw), tannin (15.49-37.99 mg TAE/g fw) and antioxidant activity (ABTS- 0.31-6.74; DPPH-0.50-1.41; FRAP-0.77-3.92 mM AAE/100g fw) varied significantly among the cultivars and the maximum content was recorded in Rymer fruits of Mukhwa location as compared to others. Altitude showed significant (p<0.05) positive relationship with total phenolic (r=0.895), flavonoid (r=0.843), flavonol (r=0.812), ABTS (r=0.856) and FRAP activity (r=0.830). Based on the results, it is concluded that Rymer is one of the most promising source of polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity and therefore, recommended for mass plantation at suitable localities for harnessing maximum potential.