Antioxidant Properties of the Native Khechechuri Pear from Western Georgia
Tamara Gabour Sad,
Indira Djafaridze,
Aleko Kalandia,
Maia Vanidze,
Katarina Smilkov,
Claus Jacob
Affiliations
Tamara Gabour Sad
Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Campus B2 1, Saarland University (UdS), D-66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
Indira Djafaridze
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Health Care, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU), 35/32 Ninoshvili/Rustaveli str., 6010 Batumi, Georgia
Aleko Kalandia
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Health Care, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU), 35/32 Ninoshvili/Rustaveli str., 6010 Batumi, Georgia
Maia Vanidze
Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences and Health Care, Batumi Shota Rustaveli State University (BSU), 35/32 Ninoshvili/Rustaveli str., 6010 Batumi, Georgia
Katarina Smilkov
Department of Applied Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University Goce Delcev (UGD), str. Krste Misirkov No. 10A, 2000 Shtip, North Macedonia
Claus Jacob
Division of Bioorganic Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Campus B2 1, Saarland University (UdS), D-66123 Saarbruecken, Germany
Khechechuri is an endemic species of a pear spread over one region of Western Georgia, called Adjara. Pears are a dietary source of bioactive components such as polyphenols and triterpenic acid. In addition to highlighting its gastronomic value, the aim of the article was to examine and compare phenolic compounds, flavonoids, catechins, phenolic acids, and antioxidant activities in Khechechuri collected from various villages in the Adjara region, namely Adjaristskali, Merisi, Dandalo, Shuakhevi, and Khulo. Five parts of the fruit, the skin, edible pulp, whole pear (skin + pulp), juice, and pomace, were analyzed and the results compared. Our study indicated that the highest total phenolic content was found in the skin of West Georgian pear types (4650 mg/kg.) Moreover, the pomace showed significant amounts of total phenolic content in each of the Khechechuri samples analyzed. Flavonoids were found in each part of the Khechechuri pears, with the notable exception of the fruit juice. A positive correlation between the total phenolic content and the geographical altitude of where the fruits were collected was observed.
