Phytochemical assessment of plum (Prunus domestica L.) cultivars selected in Serbia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess content of primary and secondary metabolites of 18 plum cultivars selected in Serbia. Autochthonous cultivar 'Crvena Ranka' exhibited the highest level of total sugars (174.3 g/kg FW) while cultivar 'Mildora' had the highest sugars/acids ratio (17.2). Cultivar 'Nada' also contained high sugars/acid ratio as well as a high level of glucose and total sugars. Compared to the other cultivars, 'Nada' had a higher content of anthocyanins (27.14 mg/100 g FW), 'Crvena Ranka' neochlorogenic acid (23.21 mg/100 g FW) and flavanols (86.15 mg/100 g FW) but also the highest antioxidant activity. The PCA analysis confirmed that 'Nada' and 'Crvena Ranka' demonstrated better results in terms of sugars and antioxidant activity than the standard cultivars grown in Serbia and can be recommended for increased plum growing for fresh consumption, processing and in the breeding of plum with enhanced nutritional content.