Variation of Phytochemicals Content in Pulp and Skin of Seven Romanian Apple Cultivars
The amounts of anthocyanins, flavonoids, total polyphenol and ascorbic acid in seven apple cultivars from Romania were investigated. The amounts of polyphenol and flavonoids in pulp and skin of apple cultivars ranged between 17.18�7.52 mg GAE/g DW and 20.10�11.06 mg CE/g DW as well as 3.64�1.18 mg GAE/g DW and 10.31�5.57 mg CE/g DW, respectively. The highest and smallest values of ascorbic acid both in the skin and the pulp were observed in the cultivars Mutsu and Starkrimson. The anthocyanin content is positively correlated with the colour intensity of the apple epicarp, being about three-fold higher in Prima than Golden Delicious cultivar. The better antioxidant activity provided by the content of polyphenol, ascorbic acid and flavonoids was in apple fruits of Mutsu cultivar and for this reason it should be regarded as a valuable source of antioxidants.