Antioxidant Capacity and Phytochemical Content of Modern Peach Germplasm

Genotypic variation in antioxidant activity and phytochemical composition was evaluated for two years in 24 cultivars, representing modern peach breeding germplasm available and/or produced in the U.S. market plus one advanced selection. Accumulation of bioactive compounds was highly variable and influenced by year, genotype, flesh color, and ripening season. Antioxidant capacity and phytochemical content, except for anthocyanins, was significantly higher in 2013 than in 2012. Antioxidant activity (in µg TEAA/ g FW), across the two years, ranged from 167 – 1260, with the highest values (> 1000) observed in white flesh heirloom cultivars Chinese Cling and Georgia Belle, yellow flesh ‘Elberta‘, and red fleshed advanced selection BY99P4388. BY99P4388 also exhibited the highest accumulation of anthocyanins (105 mg C3GE/ kg FW) and flavonoids (34 mg CA/ 100 g FW). Anthocyanin (mg C3GE/ kg FW) and flavonoid (mg CA/ 100 g FW) content in peach cultivars, ranged from 3.4 – 19.3 and 8 – 14, respectively. Total phenolics, measured as mg GAE/100 g FW, ranged from 10 in yellow-fleshed 'Crimson Lady' and ‘Redglobe’ to 43 in white-fleshed ‘Georgia Belle’. Ripening season influenced accumulation of bioactive compounds, with antioxidant activity and phytochemical content increasing as the season progressed. Antioxidant activity was significantly and positively correlated (P >0.01) with accumulation of both flavonoids (r=0.83) and total phenolics (r=0.77). Improved knowledge of nutritional quality existing in modern peach germplasm will facilitate development of new peach cultivars with increased bioactive composition, thereby providing tastier and healthier food choices for consumers