Evaluation of hackberry (Celtisaustralis L.) fruits as sources of bioactive compounds

Hackberry (Celtisaustralis L.) is native to the Mediterranean region and is distributed in Europe, Turkey, North Africa, and Iran. To the best of our knowledge, no study has been conducted on C.australis L. in the Arasbaran region, Iran. In the present study, total phenol (TP), flavonoid (TF), antioxidant capacity based on DPPH and FRAP assays and phenolic compounds and sugars profiles were investigated. According to the results, the range of antioxidant capacity based on DPPH and FRAP assays was 14.12-88.24% and 44.35-117.87 mg Fe2+/100 g, respectively. Also, the range of gallic acid, caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, p-coumaric acid, rosmaric acid, cinnamic acid, and apigenin content was 2.59-26.32, 2.03-9.32, 0.94-11.35, 1.80-4.857, 2.32-9.52, 4.74-51.38, 0.18-2.10 and 0.27-1.37 mg/g, respectively. The results of factor analysis showed that the C12, C14, C15, C20, C8, C16, C3, and C20 genotypes are positively characterized by the first principal component (PCA1) that have a higher caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, p-coumaric acid, rosmaric acid, quercetin, cinnamic acid, and apigenin phenolic compounds. Based on cluster analysis, the twenty genotypes were located in 2 main clusters. In general, the obtained results can be useful for breeding programs and the introduction of cultivars in Celtisaustralis L.

Automated summary

This study investigated the total phenol, flavonoid, antioxidant capacity, and phenolic compounds and sugars profiles of Celtisaustralis L. in the Arasbaran region, Iran. The results showed that Celtisaustralis L. has high antioxidant capacity and abundant phenolic compounds. These findings are important for breeding programs and the introduction of Celtisaustralis L. cultivars.