Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of fruit of temperate climate produced in subtropical regions

Abstract Temperate fruit species, originate from regions with cold winters and well-defined climatic seasons. These fruits are also produced in subtropical and tropical regions. The aim of this study was to determine the bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity of different fruit cultivars from fruit trees of temperate climate, such as peach, pear, quince, and fig, able to be produced in subtropic regions. Analyzes of antioxidant activity, total phenolics and ascorbic acid were carried out. In peaches, ‘Biuti’ had the highest phenolic content, and ‘Bonão’ stood out in relation of antioxidant activity (ABTS) and ascorbic acid. For quinces, 'Lageado' had higher phenolic content, ‘Provence’ and ‘CTS’ showed higher antioxidant activity (ABTS), and ‘Alaranjado’ stood out in relation of antioxidant activity (DPPH). ‘Fuller’, ‘Smyrna’ and ‘Portugal’ are the ones with the highest levels of ascorbic acid. In pears, ‘Seleta’ showed the highest phenolic content, antioxidant activity (DPPH) and ascorbic acid. ‘Centenaria’ presented the highest antioxidant activity (ABTS). In figs, ‘Três num Prato’, ‘Lemon’ and ‘Brunswick’ had the highest ascorbic acid content. ‘Três num prato’ and ‘Roxo de Valinhos’ showed the highest phenolic content and antioxidant activity consecutively. It was found that cultivars of these evaluated fruits showed great variability, even under similar conditions.