Istiklal University, Faculty of Tourism, Gastronomy and Culinary Arts, Kahramanmaraş
Abstract
This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the chemical composition, phenolic profile, antioxidant activity, and color characteristics of ‘Hicaznar’ (Punica granatum L.) fruits grown in four distinct ecological regions of Adana (İmamoğlu, Feke, Kozan, Sarıçam) in Türkiye. Sugar profiling revealed significant location-dependent differences, with the Kozan population exhibiting the highest glucose (6.64 g 100 g-1), fructose (7.59 g 100 g-1), and total sugar contents (15.12 g 100 g-1), whereas Sarıçam showed the highest sucrose concentration (0.83 g 100 g-1). Fructose and glucose were the dominant soluble sugars in ‘Hicaznar’ regardless of growing location, with Kozan samples. Citric and malic acids were the predominant organic acids in all samples, whereas succinic and ascorbic acids were detected at considerably lower concentrations. The highest citric acid content was recorded in Sarıçam (0.12 g 100 g-1), while Kozan exhibited the greatest malic acid concentration (0.11 g 100 g-1). Overall, the Kozan region demonstrated the most favorable sugar-acid balance, while regional ecological factors exerted a strong influence on the biochemical and physical properties of ‘Hicaznar’ fruit.
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