Fresh figs (Ficus carica L.): pomological characteristics, nutritional value, and phytochemical properties

摘要

Ficus carica L. (Moraceae) is a wild spread tree including more than 600 cultivars with different phenotypic characteristics. Their fruits are a good natural source of nutrients, minerals, and phytochemicals, which may improve human health. The pomological characteristics of nine Algerian cultivars of fresh figs were determined using descriptors resulting from the IPGRI and CIHEAM list. The consumer test was carried out using an in-store consumer test. The proximal components (dry matter, ash, titratable acidity, crude protein (Kjeldahl), ascorbic acid, and carbohydrates) were estimated using the AFNOR and Dubois methods. Minerals (Ca, K, and Na) were analyzed using a flame spectrophotometer. Phosphorus, phenolic, flavonoid, anthocyanin, and condensed tannin concentrations were quantified by UV-spectrophotometer. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated using the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay. The pomological results obtained made it possible to discriminate between the different fig cultivars. Skin color results indicate two groups (light skin and dark skin groups). The consumers preferred 'Boughandjo, 'Bither', and 'Bakkor Biadh, with high percentages of acceptance (68.75, 70.31 and 75%). Figs are a good source of carbohydrates (especially 'Safra' pulp [26.02 +/- 0.63 g 100 g(-1) Fresh weight)), vitamin C (10.67 +/- 0.31 mg 100 g(-1) Fresh weight for 'Onk Elhamam' peel), and potassium and calcium (266.67 +/- 2.78 and 125.44 +/- 3.37 mg 100 g(-1)Fresh weight for 'Bakkor Khal' peel, respectively). In the majority of the tested cultivars, peels exhibited higher phenolic (1.63 vs. 1.11 mg gallic acid equivalents g(-1) Fresh weight), flavonoid (147.76 vs. 83.82 mu g quercetin equivalents g(-1) Fresh weight), anthocyanin (64.82 vs. 41.72 mu g cyanidin-3-rutinoside equivalents g(-1) Fresh weight) and condensed tannin (6.08 vs. 2,06 mu g catechol equivalents g(-1) Fresh weight) levels and antioxidant activities (18.91 vs. 29.51 mg mL(-1) than pulps. Peels of dark cultivars showed higher phytochemical and antioxidant properties than those of light cultivars. Antioxidant activity was correlated with total phenolic and condensed tannin concentrations (r = 0.521 and 0.659). The pomological characterization and consumer tests reported here are important for allowing farmers to judge about the potential of the tested cultivars and could be helpful during fig breeding and cultivar selection. Based on their diversity, tastes, nutritional and phytochemical attributes, we recommend figs (especially those with dark skin) as healthy food.