Comprehensive characterization of Chaenomeles seeds as a potential source of nutritional and biologically active compounds

The nutritional profile of seeds from eighteen Chaenomeles species and cultivars was determined using ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). This is the first comprehensive attempt to determine the profile and content of sugars, organic acids, polyphenols, triterpenes, tocochromanols and minerals in Chaenomeles japonica, speciosa and superba seeds. C. japonica wild #3 seeds were characterized by the highest content of sugars (37.32 mg/g seeds, the dominant sugar was glucose) and organic acids (68.22 mg/g seeds, the highest share from galacturonic acid). The most abundant in phenolic compounds was C. speciosa 'Nivalis' (80.90 mg/g seeds), and the polymeric proanthocyanidins were the dominant group in the total phenolic content. The research revealed that Chaenomeles seeds contain 13 different triterpenes and oleanolic acid accounted for an average of 50 % of their total content. Furthermore, they contained 296-1375 mu g of amino acids, 1.65-18.9 mu g of tocopherols, and 0.25-2.71 mu g of tocotrienols per g of seeds. The seeds are a source of all essential amino acids, and alpha homologs dominate among tocochromanols. Moreover, Chaenomeles seeds are low in sodium, but high in potassium (up to 5434 mu g/g seeds) and are a good source of microelements (Fe, Cu, Zn and Mn). Therefore, they can be considered as a source of compounds with nutritional and pharmaceutical uses.

Automated summary

The study determined the nutritional profile of seeds from eighteen Chaenomeles species and cultivars using UPLC and AAS, revealing that they are rich in sugars, organic acids, polyphenols, triterpenes, tocochromanols, and minerals. Chaenomeles seeds are a good source of essential amino acids, vitamin E, and minerals like potassium, making them a potential source of nutraceutical compounds.