Volume 9, Issue 4, April – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology

ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24APR453

Fruit of the Pomegranate (Punica granatum) Plant:

Nutrients, Phytochemical Composition and
Antioxidant Activity of Fresh and Dried Fruits
Induja E1; Dr. Jancy Rani D2
M.Sc. Food and Nutrition1, Assistant Professor2
Dept. of Food Science and Nutrition, Dr. N.G.P Arts and Science College, Coimbatore.

Abstract:- Since the beginning of time, medicinal plants I. INTRODUCTION

have been considered nature's undiscovered but precious
resources, or nature's pharmacy. Almost 35,000 different Humans have struggled with a variety of illnesses,
species have been used as a safe and effective source of discomforts, and ways to provoke them over the years. The
medicine in nearly every human culture on the planet use of medicinal plants to cure a variety of diseases is one of
(representing over 75% of the global population). The the many strategies used to combat illnesses. The trend
body uses plant-based materials known as nutrients to aid toward herbal medicine is gaining traction despite the
in tissue development and repair. A natural defense introduction of several key medicines because of growing
mechanism against disease, phytochemicals are bioactive worries about the growing toxicities associated with main line
compounds that are present in fruits, vegetables and therapies. Using medicinal plants in conjunction with other
aromatic plants. Phytochemicals are a broad class of forms of treatment is now regarded as a complementary and
chemical substances present in natural goods. These alternative therapy (Khalid et al., 2022).
include polyphenols, flavonoids, steroidal saponins,
organo-sulfur compounds etc. Numerous biological The rapid therapeutic benefits of synthetic drugs
advantages of natural antioxidants include their ability to propelled allopathic medical systems to popularity at the start
reduce inflammation, prevent atherosclerosis and fight of the 20th century, but regrettably, they also came with a host
cancer. Pomegranate have also been investigated in recent of unfavorable side effects. This is causing a trend in the
years to determine the presence of certain existing healthcare system to change from synthetic to herbal.
phytoconstituents. Pomegranate has a wide range of The "Return to Nature" movement is the name given to it.
pharmacological properties, including anti- Plant-based natural medicines have a wide range of
inflammatory, wound-healing, antidiabetic, antioxidant, phytochemicals and essential oils, which suggests that they
anti-cancer, anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial properties. have therapeutic potential for humans (Sharma et al., 2014).
Hence the objectives of this present study is to analyse the
nutrient composition, to identify the phytochemicals, to According to data released by the United Nations Food
estimate the antioxidant activity of the fresh and dried and Agriculture Organization, fruit output has been
pomegranate fruits. Nutrients such as carbohydrate, increasing consistently over the past few decades. However,
protein, fibre, iron, vitamin-c, calcium were done by with the growing global population and current consumer
AOAC method. Preliminary qualitative phytochemical preferences for organic, high-quality food products and a
analysis was carried out by the standard methodology healthy lifestyle, the amount of fruits produced cannot meet
with extraction through maceration process to identify the world's needs for the greatest food. Furthermore, a
the secondary metabolites like alkaloids, flavonoids, significant amount of by-products will inevitably be produced
quinones and etc in various solvents like aqueous, ethanol, as fruit output rises. Precup et al., (2022) suggest that
methanol, acetone, petroleumether and chloroform. incorporating these by-products into functional foods is a
Antioxidant activity were done by DPPH method. Hence viable way to decrease waste production and improve the
dried fruit have better profile of phytochemicals and nutritional value of various diets.
antioxidants so it can be used for therapeutic purposes
mainly digestive problems and pharmaceutical industries. A significant amount of scientific evidence indicates
that eating fruits and vegetables and other plant foods can
Keywords:- Medicinal Plants, Defense System, Bioactive help prevent chronic diseases, which supports the idea that
Compounds, Antioxidants, Pharmaceutical these foods should be an essential part of a balanced diet. A
wide variety of chemical compounds, particularly secondary
metabolites with a polyphenolic character, are found in fruits
and vegetables. These chemical compounds, which include
ascorbic acid, carotenoids, and polyphenols like flavonoids
and phenolic acids, have advantageous biological and
antioxidant action that is significant to humans. Furthermore,

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Volume 9, Issue 4, April – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24APR453

these compounds create easily excretable weak radicals and compounds that promote health. They also have anti-diabetic,
halt fast-moving oxidative processes (Torralba et al., 2018). anti-carcinogenic activity and improve urinary health. Hence
it is selected for the present study for due to the presence of
These days, pomegranates are reported to have bioactive compounds and therapeutic purposes.
therapeutic benefits for a wide range of illnesses and
conditions, such as obesity, diabetes, aging, and B. Processing of Fresh and Dried Fruits:
inflammation, in international literature. In particular, it has The sample was first visually examined for any kind of
been demonstrated that treating obesity using pomegranate- infection, spores, damage, discoloration, and distortion.
derived natural chemicals is effective (Viladomiu et al., Undamaged samples of fruits were collected, grinded and
2013). filter to get extract. Natural shade drying is the most accepted
storage method for aromatic medicinal herbs because of
Pomegranates contain a variety of bioactive its low cost and minimum loss of volatile constituents. So the
components, including secondary metabolites like tannins, fruits are shadow dried for 3-4 days, collected & then grinded
organic acids, phenolic acids (including gallic acid, ellagic into a fine powder and stored in a air tight container.
acid (EA), and caffeic acid), anthocyanins, flavonoids,
vitamins, and terpenes, in addition to primary metabolites like
sugars, lipides, and fatty acids. However, tannins, such as
gallotannins and ellagitannins, appear to be the primary
secondary metabolites (Vucic et al., 2019).

Pomegranates have a unique biochemical profile with

over 124 phytochemicals that provide them a wide spectrum
of anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, and anti-mutagenic
effects. High molecular weight hydrolysable tannins, such as
ellagitannins, a variety of anthocyanins that protect against
degenerative diseases, hydroxybenzoic acids,
hydroxycinnamic acids, minerals, vital lipids, and complex
polysaccharides, are thought to be stored in pomegranate fruit
and its fractions, such as the flower, peel, juicy sacs, and Fig 1: Cut it into Two Halves
seeds. It typically has a pH of less than 4.0 and contains 70–
180 g/L of sugar, mostly glucose and fructose. According to
Orgil et al., (2014), the fruit's edible portion is composed of
85% water, sugars, pectin, organic acids, phenolics, and
flavonoids, mostly anthocyanins.

Thus, the goal of this research is to determine the

amount of free radical scavenging activity in both fresh and
dried pomegranate fruits, as well as to analyze nutrients and
screen for phytochemicals. Hence the present study is carried
out by following objectives are to analyse the nutrient
composition of fresh and dried pomegranate fruits, to analyse
the phytochemical composition of fresh and dried
pomegranate fruits, to estimate the antioxidant activity of
fresh and dried pomegranate fruits.
Fig 2: Fresh Pomegranate
II. MATERIALS AND METHODS

A. Selection and Collection of Leaves:

The pomegranate fruit is berry-like with a leathery rind
(or husk) enclosing many seeds surrounded by the juicy arils,
which comprise the edible portion of the fruit. The aril juice
sack is composed of many epidermal cells. According to
cultivar, arils range from deep red to virtually colorless,
whereas the enclosed seed varies in content of sclerenchyma
tissue, which affects seed softness. Pomegranate is full of
powerful antioxidants like anthocyanins, tannins and
punicalagin. These elements are known to be powerful
antioxidants to reduce inflammation and prevent chronic
health issues. Pomegranates can have up to three times
more antioxidants than green tea or red wine. They provide
plenty of macro- and micronutrients, as well as bioactive Fig 3: Shadow Drying

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Volume 9, Issue 4, April – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24APR453

 Extraction Process – Maceration:

Maceration is the process of placing coarsely crushed
drug material—such as leaves, stem bark, or root bark—into
a container and pouring menstrual fluid over it until the drug
material is completely covered. Following that, the container
is sealed and left for at least three days. If the material is
stored in a bottle, it is shaken and mixed on a regular basis to
ensure complete extraction. After extraction, the micelle and
mark are separated via decantation or filtration. The micelle
is next evaporated in an oven or over a water bath to separate
it from the menstruum. This method is practical and suitable
for materials that are thermostable in plants (Abubakar et al.,
2020).
Fig 4: Fine Pomegranate Powder
The extraction was done with different solvents such as
aqueous, methanol, ethanol, chloroform, petroleum ether,
C. Extraction of Fresh and Dried Pomegranate Fruits: acetone for phytochemical analysis. For antioxidant and
Extraction is the first step in isolating the desired natural nutrient analysis the extract was done with aqueous solvent.
compounds from the basic materials. The extraction principle
states that pressing, sublimation, distillation, and solvent D. Determination of Nutrient Analysis of Fresh and Dried
extraction are examples of extraction procedures. The solvent Pomegranate Fruits:
extraction method is the most widely used strategy. The nutritional analysis is the description of the method
used to determine the amounts of the nutrients in a particular
food. The extraction was carried out by aqueous solvent.

Table 1: Nutrient Analysis in Aqueous Extract

Nutrients Method Author & Year
Carbohydrate Anthrone reagent method E.E.Layne, (1975), David T. Plummer (1990)
Protein Lowry’s method Chang-Hui Shen (2023)
Crude Fibre Weende method D. O. Holst (1982)
Vitamin-c Titration method Earle Willard Mchenry and Murray Graham (1935)
Iron Colorimetric method Braunschweig (2012)
Calcium Titration method Kahandal S (2017)

E. Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis: flavonoids, phenol and steroids were analysed by standard
The presence of various phytochemicals in fresh and procedures with different solvents as mentioned above.
dried Pomegranate fruits were analyzed. Phytochemical such Qualitative Phytochemical screening procedure is given
as alkaloids, saponin, tannin, terpenoids, quinones, below:

Table 2: Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis in Various Solvent Extract

Phytochemicals Procedure Observation
Alkaloids (Wagner test) 2ml extract, 2 to 3drops of Fecl Greenish to black color indicates the presence of alkaloids
Flavonoids (Alkaline reagent 2ml extract +Few Intense yellow color which become colorless onaddition of
test) drops of NaOHsolution dil Hcl
Phenol 2ml extract +5%Fecl Deep blue or green color
(Ferric chloride test) indicates presence of phenol
Saponins (Foaming test) 2ml extract +6ml distilled Staple foam indicates thepresence of saponins
H2O and shakevigorously
Tannins (Braymers test) 2ml extract + Alcoholic Fecl3 Blue or green colour indicates the presence of
tannins
Terpenoids 1ml chloroform+2mlextract+few Reddish brown precipitateindicates presence of
drops C.H2SO4 terpenoids
Quinone 2ml extract +con HCL Yellow precipitate indicates
the presence of quinone
Steroids 2ml extract +chloroform +H2SO4 Development of reddish
(Salkowski test) brown colour indicates thepresence of steroids

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Volume 9, Issue 4, April – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24APR453

F. Estimation of Antioxidant Activity of Fresh and Dried  2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) Radical

Pomegranate Fruits: Scavenging Assay:
Antioxidants are compounds that minimize oxidative DPPH is a stable deep purple chromogen radical. It is
damage to biological processes by giving free radicals an not required to be generated prior to the test and can be
electron and making them appear harmless (Shantabi et al., purchased commercially. In order to eliminate DPPH
2014). Antioxidant compounds can scavenge free radicals radicals, the DPPH scavenging assay depends on
and prolong shelf life by postponing the lipid peroxidation antioxidants’ capacity to contribute electrons. The reaction
process, which is one of the primary causes of food and causes a change in the color of DPPH, which is visible at 517
pharmaceutical product deterioration during processing and nm. This discoloration can be used to determine how efficient
storage (Halliwell 1997). The antioxidant activity of fresh and the antioxidants are.
dried pomegranate fruits was assessed using the DPPH
radical scavenging test (DPPH) In a test tube, 100 µL of leaf extract and 3 mL of DPPH
working solutions were combined. Three milliliters of DPPH-
containing solution in 100 µL of methanol is a typical
standard. After then, the tubes were kept completely dark for
thirty minutes. Therefore, the absorbance was calculated at
517 nm.

% Scavenging Activity = Absorbance of the control – Absorbance of the sample ×100

Absorbance of the control

III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Table 3: Nutrient Analysis of Fresh and Dried Pomegranate Fruits

Nutrients Fresh Pomegranate fruits Dried Pomegranate fruits
Carbohydrate 0.60g 0.42g
Protein 23g 16.5g
Crude Fibre 5.55% 7.4%
Vitamin-C 22mcg 17.6mcg
Iron 50mg 100mg
Calcium 3.6mg 5.6mg

Table - 3 depicts the nutrient analysis of the fresh and amount compared to dried fruits while in fibre, iron &
dried pomegranate with aqueous extract. Carbohydrate, calcium are present in dried fruits are higher in amount when
protein & vitamin-c present in fresh fruits are higher in compared to fresh fruits.

Table 4: Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis of Fresh and Dried Pomegranate fruits in Various Solvents
Aqueous Ethanol Methanol Acetone Petroleum Ether Chloroform
Phytochemicals Fresh Dried Fresh Dried Fresh Dried Fresh Dried Fresh Dried Fresh Dried
Alkaloids - - + + + + + - - + - -
Flavonoids + + + + + + + + - + - +
Phenols + + + + + + + + - - + +
Saponins - + + - + + + + + + + -
Tannins + + + + + + + + - + - +
Terpenoids - - - + - + - - - - + +
Quinones - - - + - - - + + + - -
Steroids + + + + + + + - + + + +

Table – 4 depicts the qualitative phytochemical analysis Methanol extract of fresh fruits contain all
of fresh and dried pomegranate fruits with various solvent phytochemicals except terpenoids & quinones while in dried
extract. Aqueous extract of fresh fruits reveals that it contains fruits contains all phytochemicals except quinones
flavonoids, phenols, tannins and steroids while in dried fruits
contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids, phenols, Acetone extract of fresh fruits contains all
saponins, tannins and steroids except alkaloids, terpenoids phytochemicals except terpenoids and quinones while in
and quinones. dried fruits contains phytochemicals such as flavonoids,
phenols, saponins, tannins & quinones.
Ethanol extract of fresh fruits contains all
phytochemicals except terpenoids & quinones while in dried Petroleum ether of fresh fruits contain saponins,
fruits contains all phytochemicals except saponins. quinones and steroids while in dried fruits contains most of
the phytochemicals except phenols & terpenoids.

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Volume 9, Issue 4, April – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24APR453

Chloroform extract of fresh fruits contains phenol, Majority of the tested phytochemical were present in all
saponins, terpenoids and steroids while in dried fruits solvent extract of the dried fruits.
contains all phytochemicals except saponin and quinones.

Fig 5: Aqueous Extract Fig 6: Ethanol Extract

Fig 7: Methanol Extract Fig 8: Acetone Extract

Fig 9: Petroleum Ether Extract Fig 10: Chloroform Extract

Table 5: Antioxidant Activity of Fresh and Dried Pomegranate Fruits

Concentration(µg/ml) Absorption % of inhibition
100 Fresh Dried Fresh Dried
200 4.131 3.101 9.00 31.69
300 4.068 2.123 10.03 52.85
400 3.154 1.839 30.26 59.34
500 2.123 0.356 53.47 92.19

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Volume 9, Issue 4, April – 2024 International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology
ISSN No:-2456-2165 https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24APR453

Table – 5 depicts the antioxidant activity of fresh and contain more antioxidant than the fresh leaves (9.00%,
dried pomegranate fruits. DPPH radical scavenging assay in 10.03%, 30.26%, 53.47%, 55.17%).
dried fruits (31.69%, 52.85%, 59.34%, 92.19%, 93.24%)

Fig. 11: Fresh Fruit Fig 12: Dried Fruit

IV. CONCLUSION [5]. Viladomiu M, Hontecillas R, Lu P, Bassaganya-Riera

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