Biochemical Characteristics, Antimicrobial and Mutagenic Activity in Organically and Conventionally Produced Malus domestica, Annurca

摘要

Total polyphenols content and a partial phenolics composition from pulp and peel of organically and conventionallyproduced Malus domestica, Annurca were investigated. Furthermore, the antimicrobial effect of these compoundsagainst useful and pathogen microorganism was examined. Finally, their mutagenic activities were evaluated. Organicallygrown apples showed a greater content of polyphenols, both into the pulp and the peel. The distribution of polyphenolswas different between the two types of fruit, the organic fruit showing a more concentration of them, mainly into the peelextracts. The antimicrobial activity was also different: the conventionally produced samples showed a good inhibitory effectagainst Bacillus cereus, the organic peel revealed in addition a good inhibitory effect against Escherichia coli0157:07. The results demonstrated a probable relationship between the phenolic composition and distribution in the extractsand the antimicrobial effect. The Ames test did not reveal the presence of an evident mutagenic activity in the conventionalextracts. The antimutagenic activity was more evident in the organic extracts.