Determination of physiochemical characteristics and antioxidant properties of selected climacteric and Non – climacteric fruits

Abstract

Fruits being fundamental nutritious sources in the human diet due to their high nutrient content and antioxidant capacity, can be classified as climacteric and non- climacteric fruits based on their ability to ripen after harvesting, where the fruits which can be ripen after being plucked are known as climacteric fruits and those which cannot be ripen after harvest are known as non– climacteric fruits. The study was carried out to analyze the antioxidant properties of selected climacteric and non-climacteric fruits and the fruits were taken from four different colors: red, yellow, purple, and green. The chosen fruits under climacteric category are Red lady papaya (Carica papaya), Mango (Mangifera indica), Madan/ Jamun (Syzigium cumini) and Ceylon olive/ Veralu (Elaeocarpus serratus) while the fruits chosen from the non - climacteric category are Watermelon (Citrullus vulgaris), Pineapple (Ananus sativus), Grapes (Vitis vinifera) and Indian Gooseberry/ Nelli (Phyllanthus emblica). The DPPH scavenging activity based on IC 50 Values of the selected climacteric fruits Jamun, Red Lady Papaya, Mango, and Ceylon Olive in mg/mL are 3.45, 12.34, 15.35 and 8.49 respectively. The DPPH scavenging activity based on IC 50 Values of selected non – climacteric fruits Grapes, Watermelon, Pineapple and Indian Gooseberry are 26.78, 11.84, 0.95 and 2.62 respectively. The TSS values of the selected climacteric fruits Jamun, Red Lady Papaya, Mango, and Ceylon olive are 10.600 ± 0.529, 12.533 ± 0.416, 16.367 ± 0.404. The TSS values of selected non – climacteric fruits Grapes, Watermelon, Pineapple and Indian Gooseberry are 14.000 ± 0.500. 14.667 ± 0.611, 6.80 ± 2.95, 14.13 ±1.86, 10.467 ± 0.503 respectively..