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Research Project: Improved Utilization of AG Products Through Identification of Nitrogen-containing Bioactive Components Important to Quality & Human Health

Location: Processed Foods Research

Title: Quantitative determination of major polyphenol constituents in pomegranate products

Authors

Submitted to: Food Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 23, 2011
Publication Date: December 11, 2011
Repository URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.11.106
Citation: Qu, W., Breksa III, A.P., Pan, Z. 2011. Quantitative determination of major polyphenol constituents in pomegranate products. Food Chemistry. 132:1585-1591. DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2011.11.106.

Interpretive Summary: A rapid and efficient HPLC method to determine the levels of the polyphenolics punicalagin A, punicalagin B, ellagic acid and gallic acid in pomegranate juice and pomegranate containing products was developed. This method may be used to verify the presence of pomegranate metabolites in products, or to detect adulteration.

Technical Abstract: The anti-oxidant content and potential health benefits associated with consuming pomegranate and pomegranate-containing products has lead to increased consumer demand for pomegranate resulting in pomegranate becoming a high value crop. The potential health benefits and high anti-oxidant content of pomegranate is attributed to the polyphenolic compounds it contains, including the ubiquitous phenolic acids, gallic acid and ellagic acid, and punicalagin A and punicalagin B, two polyphenolics unique to pomegranate. A rapid HPLC-UV method targeting these four metabolites requiring minimal sample cleanup and offering runtimes half as long as existing methods was established. Within day and inter-day run-to-run variability for the four metabolites ranged from 1.9% to 6.6% and 5.3% to 11.4%, respectively. Spike recovery percentages for gallic acid, punicalagin A, punicalagin B and ellagic acid were found to be 98.5%, 92.4%, 95.5%, and 96.5%, respectively. This method was applied to the evaluation of various pomegranate products, including commercial drinks, handmade juice, and marc extracts. This method may be readily used to verify the presence of pomegranate metabolites in juices, extracts, and other products

   

 
Project Team
Breksa, Andrew
McHugh, Tara
 
Publications
   Publications
 
Related National Programs
  Quality and Utilization of Agricultural Products (306)
 
Related Projects
   METABOLITE PROFILING OF COMMERCIAL CITRUS PRODUCTS
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Last Modified: 05/19/2013
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