Some physical and chemical changes of pomegranate fruit characteristics during storage shelf-life conditions

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is commonly grown in different part of the world including Turkey for its high value of nutrients and its bioactive compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids in fresh pomegranate and juice. This study was conducted to determine changes in the physical and chemical characteristics after harvest up to sale during the shelf-life conditions of pomegranate grown in Antalya, Turkey. 'Hicaznar' (sour-sweet) and 'Finike' (sweet) pomegranate cultivars were chosen as the plant material. The fruits were harvested at optimal harvest time and placed in plastic boxes. The fruits were kept uncovered during the experiment. All fruit samples were stored at 20 ^oC with 60–65% relative humidity (at shelf-life conditions). During storage the fruits were evaluated every 10 days for weight loss, 100 aril weight, juice yield, titratable acidity, total soluble solid, pH, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, skin thickness, skin and aril color. Weight loss of fruit increased and the color of the peel was dull and dry in both pomegranate cultivars parallel to the extended storage time. The value of titratable acidity decreased depending on the cultivars and during the storage time. Total phenolics significantly changed from 1411,50 to 2074,17mg GAE/L and from 1664,00 to 2085,33mg GAE/L in 'Finike' and 'Hicaznar' cultivars, respectively. Total flavonoids varied from 170,79 to 235,54mg CE/L and from 231,33 to 348,87mg CE/L in 'Finike' and 'Hicaznar' cultivars, respectively. Results of this study indicated that pomegranate fruit loose some physical and chemical properties under the shelf-life conditions.