Evaluation of Morphological and Pytochemical Traits of Different Cultivars of Momordica charantia L. for Adaptation to Climatic Conditions of Zanjan Province

Momordica charantia L.  belongs to the Cucurbitaceae family and is native to the east-south of Asia. The fruits of this plant are used to treat diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, cancer, and AIDS. Momordicin and charantin, two triterpenoid compounds existing in this plant, have strong anti-diabetic properties. Considering the positive effects of this plant in the treatment of diabetes, and in order to evaluate the adaptability of different cultivars of this plant, this research was conducted in a randomized complete block design in 2018 at the agricultural farm of university of Zanjan. During the growing season, some morphological and phytochemical traits such as pigments, total phenol content (fullene-cicalto), total flavonoid (aluminum chloride colorimetry) and antioxidant activity (DPPH), methanolic fruit extract, carbohydrate (phenol method) Sulfuric acid, vitamin C (iodometric) and momordicin and quarantine (HPLC) were evaluated. Analysis of variance showed that Vijay cultivar had higher phenolic content (28.5 mg gallic acid / g dry weight) and antioxidant capacity (69.42%) in compare to other cultivars. Also, the highest and lowest amount of secondary metabolites of momordicin and quarantine were observed in Vijay cultivar (0.182 and 0.603 mg / g dry weight, respectively) and Hybrid Baby Doll cultivar (0/038 and 0/183 30 mg/g DW, respectively), respectively. On the other hand, the highest amount of vitamin C (2676 μg / 100 ml of fruit juice), total acidity (0.022%) and total soluble solids (Brix index 53.5) were found in Jounpouri cultivar. Therefore, Vijay cultivar, which had more ability to secondary metabolites accumulation, was the best identified cultivar for the active medicinal substances extraction.