Characterization of Antioxidants and Hypoglycemic Potential of Pomegranate Grown in India: A Preliminary Investigation

Six pomegranate varieties (Mridula, Bhagwa, Ganesh, Jyoti, G‐137, Kandhari) grown in semiarid regions of India were studied for biochemical parameters including total antioxidant content and antioxidant activities. Total antioxidant activities were evaluated using ferric reducing antioxidant power (5.54–7.67 μmol TE/g), cupric reducing antioxidant power (7.87–16.24 μmol TE/g) and 2, 2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (8.98–15.47 μmol TE/g) assays. Hypoglycemic potential was evaluated using α‐glucosidase inhibitory assay and color attributes using L*, a*, b*, hue angle and chroma values. Total phenolics, flavonoid and anthocyanin content range of 87.62–153.62 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g, 8.54–23.99 mg QE/100g and 6.45–457.99 mg/kg, respectively. Total soluble solid, acidity, pH and ascorbic acid content varied between 15.72 and 18.18 Brix, 0.24 and 0.28%, 2.83 and 3.20, and 3.68 and 13.65 mg/100 g, respectively. However both “Mridula” and “Bhagwa” had the highest content of total phenolics, flavonoids, total anthocyanin, ascorbic acid, antioxidant activity and hypoglycemic potential. Overall, antioxidant composition of pomegranate, especially total phenolics and total anthocyanin content, could provide an attractive strategy to manage postprandial hyperglycemia. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Postprandial hyperglycemia plays an important role in the development of type II diabetes mellitus and complications associated with the disease. The enzyme α‐glucosidase is a key enzyme responsible for the increase in blood glucose level. α‐Glucosidase inhibitors from natural food sources are an attractive strategy for managing postprandial hyperglycemia. This paper presents the findings of a comprehensive investigation of total antioxidant content and activity in terms of free radical scavenging and reducing capacities of six different pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties grown in semiarid regions of India. Total anthocyanin and total phenolics content of pomegranate varieties reported in this study make them potential candidates for managing postprandial hyperglycemia related to type II diabetes.