Antioxidant activity and total phenolic, organic acid and sugar content in commercial pomegranate juices

Pomegranate fruit and pomegranate juices (PJs) have taken great attention for their health benefits in the last years. The purpose of this study is to analyse the antioxidant activities, along with the organic acid and sugar contents of pomegranate juices sold in the Turkish markets. In the present study, we evaluated total phenolics (TPs), free radical scavenging capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and ferric reducing capacity of seven commercial PJs. Organic acid and sugar contents of juices were determined by capillary zone electrophoresis. The results showed that commercial pomegranate juices had markedly high total phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity. Fructose (F) and glucose (G) were found as the major sugars. The major acids were citric and malic. From the F/G ratio, organic acid profiles, TPs, and antioxidant capacity values, a possible adulteration was detected in one of the juices. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.