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

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the content of primary and secondary metabolites of 18 plum cultivars (Prunus domestica L.) selected in Serbia. Autochthonous cultivars ʻCrvena Rankaʼ exhibited the highest level of total sugars (174.3 g/kg FW) while cultivar ʻMildoraʼ had the highest sugars/acids ratio (17.2). Newly cultivar ʻNadaʼ also contained a high sugars/acid ratio (11.2) as well as a high level of glucose (84.2 g/kg FW) and total sugars (145.1 g/kg FW). The predominant group of phenolics in all tested cultivars were flavanols followed by hydroxycinnamic acids whereas anthocyanins and flavonols were present in lower amounts. Compared to other tested cultivars, cultivar ʻNadaʼ had a significantly higher content of anthocyanins (27.14 mg/100 g FW), cultivar ʻCrvena Rankaʼ neochlorogenic acid (23.21 mg/100 g FW) and flavanols (86.15 mg/100 g FW) and high anthocyanins content (23.47 mg/100 g FW). In terms of total phenolics content (137.38 mg/100 g FW), the new cultivar ʻNadaʼ demonstrated better results than the standard plum cultivars grown in Serbia (ʻČačanska Lepoticaʼ and ʻČačanska Rodnaʼ) and can be recommended for expansion in plum growing regions with the aim to produce fruit with high amounts of beneficial phytochemicals intended for fresh consumption. Cultivar ʻNadaʼ, together with autochthonous cultivar ʻCrvena Rankaʼ, can be used for processing as a potential source for functional food products, and in the breeding of plums with enhanced nutritional content.