Evaluation of the morphological, phytochemical and antioxidant capacity of fruit in pomegranate (Punica granatum) the cultivar of Toosefid Gorgan in comparison with two commercial cultivars

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is an unrivaled crop in Iran and is grown in large quantities in most parts of the country. In this study, three cultivars of Toosefid, Kolbad and Malas Saveh were studied for different characteristics. The fruits were randomly picked from a standard orchard in the northern fields of Gorgan, based on the commercial harvest index, immediately transported to the laboratory and examined for morphological, phytochemical and antioxidant properties. There were significant differences between cultivars in terms of all the studied traits at the level of one or five percent probability. The results showed that the highest fruit weight (391.20 g), fruit diameter, length to fruit diameter, fruit volume, skin thickness, skin moisture, crown length, crown diameter, aril length, aril diameter, total soluble solids, glucose (13.47 mg/100 g) and fructose (12.88 mg/100 g) were related to Gorgan Toosefid cultivar and the highest amount of anthocyanin (0.43 µmol/g) and vitamin C (2.42 mg/100 ml) belonged to Malas Saveh cultivar and the highest amount of pH (4.03), electrical conductivity (4.46 mmohs/cm), acidity (0.174%) and antioxidants (81.31%) belonged to Kolbad cultivar. According to the results, the forgotten cultivar of Toosefid Gorgan has distinct and useful properties and its development and consumption will play an important role in human health. Re-introducing this cultivar can save it from the danger of extinction and permanent oblivion and encourage gardeners and experts to reproduce and grow it and also do research on it.