Abstract:
The experiment included three Egyptian pomegranate cultivars namely as Manfalouty, Hejazy and Nab-El-Gamal. The study aimed to assess some physical and chemical characteristics in the fruits and estimate their content of some anti- oxidants at different stages of development.
The study revealed that there were significant differences between the stud- ied cultivars in most traits. The average weight and fruit dimension (length and diameter) significantly increased and reached their maximum values at 165 days after full bloom (maturity stage). Total soluble solids (TSS) and sugars increased while the acidity gradually decreased until they reached the optimum level in ma- turity. Vitamin C concentration increased progressively until the fruits reached their maturity. The total phenolics content (T.P.C) measured in the fruit peel and arils started high, and then there was a gradual decline until they minimized at fruit maturity. Total anthocyanin content of pomegranate arils and peel began low for the three cultivars and gradually increased till the end of fruit develop- ment. Hydrolysable tannin content (as mg tannic acid/ gm of dry weight basis) in peel and lit. of juice began high and rapidly decreased reaching its lowest level at fruit maturity. The differences were significant between the studied cultivars in both seasons for most abovementioned attributes.