Proximate Composition and Biological Activities of Different Cultivars of Apples (Malus Domestica) Grown at Swat, Pakistan.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate different cultivars of apple (Malus domestica borkh) for its biological activities (phytochemicals, antioxidants, phenolics, ascorbic acid) and physiological characteristics (moisture, ash, fiber contents) cultivated at district Swat, Pakistan. Malus domestica borkh imparts vital effect on human body because of its anti-carcinogenic, antimicrobial, antidiuretic, antimutagenic, anti-hemorrhage, antioxidant potential and enhance immune system. Fresh samples of five different cultivars of apples were collected from district Swat KhyberPakhtunkhwa Pakistan, while research was conducted at national tea and high value research crop institute (NTHRI) Mansehra Pakistan.Five randomly selected apples were washed, peeled, and sliced. Sliced apples were grinded with the help of home-scale mixer cum-juicer for obtaining homogenized pulp for qualitative and quantitative analysis. The antioxidant potential was estimated by 2,2- diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay, ascorbic acid content was determined by 2, 6-dichlorophenol indophenols dye method while phenolics content, and phytochemical was analyzed using standard analytical procedures. Phytochemical analysis of five cultivars of apple reveals the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, and steroids. The maximum antioxidant potential was observed among various cultivars i.e., at 150µg/ml inKala kula (89.97%) second highest activity was detected at 100µg/ml in Royal gala (66.56%)whileat 50µg/ml, 59.81% DPPH activity was observed for kala kula among cultivar of apple.  The highest TPC were found in kala kula (0.30±0.04), followed by Royal gala and winter banana (0.26±0.09; 0.16±0.02 mg GAE/g fw) respectively. On the other hand, highest ascorbic acid were found in winter banana (11.4±0.3 mg/100ml) followed by Mondial gala and Kala kula (10.5±0.6; 10.3±0.5 mg/100ml) respectively. The highest concentration of Ash content was noted in kala kula variety of apple (1.7±0.05g/100g –fw), maximum moisture content in winter banana (4.9±0.48g/100g –fw) whereas Spartan variety showed highest crude fibers potential (10.7±1.64g/100g –fw). The results of present study revealed that apple (Malus domestica borkh) varieties grown at swat, Pakistan contains novel phytochemical, antioxidant, phenolics, ascorbic acid along with significant physiological attributes. Consequently, current results provide a base- line data for upcoming researcher and future breeding programs for cultivars with high nutritive values and level of safety for human consumption. The current investigation will help the researcher as basic information for future research in manipulating the buried potential of this important plant which has not been explored so far