Review of flavonoids and other phenolics from fruits of different tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) cultivars

BACKGROUND: Tomato, one of the most important vegetables worldwide, contains a range of flavonoids and phenolic acids in addition to lycopene, which are regarded as potentially useful compounds with respect to health benefits. Composition data in fresh tomatoes vary due to genetic and environmental factors and cultural practices. Breeding programs aim to produce tomatoes with enhanced levels of flavonoids and other phenolics. RESULTS: The present paper gives an overview of flavonoids, stilbenoids and other phenolics reported to occur in tomato fruits. Contents are reported for a wide range of cultivars and types. Metabolism of phenolics during fruit maturation and tissue location are described, and an overview of measured contents is given. Effects of environmental conditions and cultural practices are estimated using available literature. Recent literature on transgenic tomatoes is included, and possibilities for regulating phenolic contents in tomatoes are discussed. CONCLUSION: The literature review clearly discloses a rapidly growing interest in flavonoids and other phenolics in tomato fruits and products made thereof. This is particularly connected to the antioxidant properties of these compounds as well as other possible health effects. Choice of cultivar and effects of environment and agronomic practices are important factors with respect to phenolic qualities and quantities of tomatoes. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Seasonal variations in polyphenols and lipoic acid in fruits of tomato irrigated with sea water

BACKGROUND: Polyphenols and lipoic acid, due to their functions of antioxidant and free radical scavengers, are universally recognized as beneficial for preventing widespread human diseases, including cancer, and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular pathologies. In addition, they contribute to the determination of food taste and colour. These compounds were determined in tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L., cv. Daniela) picked at red‐ripe stage during spring and autumn from tomato plants grown in rockwool slabs in a greenhouse in nutrient solutions with either groundwater or dilute sea water. RESULTS: Compared with groundwater, total phenolic acids, flavonoids and dihydrolipoic acid in tomato plants irrigated with sea water showed a decrease during spring and an increase during autumn. The interaction between sea water and season played a significant role in polyphenol and lipoic acid production. CONCLUSION: The consumption of polyphenols and lipoic acid is related to oxidative processes, which could be induced by natural physiological processes or more by environmental changes such as salinity or high irradiance. The lower presence of these antioxidants, observed in spring, may be a consequence of the more noxious levels of oxidative stress induced by the high salinity treatment when applied under a higher irradiance, typical conditions of spring in comparison to autumn. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

Structural changes,chemical composition and antioxidant activity of cherry tomato fruits (cv. Micro‐Tom) stored under optimal and chilling conditions

BACKGROUND: Cherry tomato fruits cv. Micro‐Tom, a model plant for tomato genetics, were analysed in order to determine the main structural and chemical changes under optimal and chilling storage conditions. The comparison of Micro‐Tom to standard tomato cultivars will give an insight into suitability of this dwarf cultivar as a model for studying the influence of low‐temperature conditions on tomato fruits. RESULTS: During chilling, fruit tissue was progressively destroyed due to the collapse of the deep layers of the pericarp. Chilling lowered the typical tomato kinetics of ripening in sugars (glucose, fructose, sucrose), organic acids (tartaric, malic, citric, ascorbic and succinic) and the antioxidants phenol and lycopene, while carotenoid synthesis seemed to be blocked. Glutathione level was elevated and the activity of ROS scavenging enzymes was altered. Essentially, Micro‐Tom fruits showed a quality evolution that was similar to that described for standard tomato cultivars. CONCLUSION: The cherry tomato cultivar Micro‐Tom could be used as a model for studying the influence of low temperature on biochemical and structural changes taking place during chilling injury conditions. Copyright © 2009 Society of Chemical Industry     

褪黑素处理对盐胁迫下番茄果实品质及挥发性物质的影响

以“金棚1号”番茄为材料,研究在150 mmol/L NaCl胁迫下施加不同浓度褪黑素对番茄果实产量、品质及挥发性物质含量的影响。结果表明：在施加50、100 μmol/L褪黑素处理下,可以显著提高番茄果实中可溶性糖、可溶性固形物、VC、β-胡萝卜素含量,降低果实中有机酸和硝酸盐含量。相比于单纯盐胁迫处理,果实品质更好。利用顶空固相微萃取技术,对各处理进行气相色谱-质谱检测,分析各处理组番茄果实挥发性物质成分和含量。结果表明,胁迫处理提高了果实挥发性物质总含量,而施加不同浓度褪黑素会进一步提高挥发性物质含量,其中在50 μmol/L褪黑素处理下,其含量最高。综上,在利用褪黑素缓解番茄盐胁迫时,施加浓度为50～100 μmol/L的褪黑素能够提高果实品质、增强果香,效果最佳。     

How much do cultivar and preparation time influence on phenolics content in walnut liqueur?

The influence of cultivar and picking date on the phenolic content of walnut liqueur was investigated using HPLC with a PDA detector. Ten phenolic compounds, namely gallic, protocatechuic, ellagic, chlorogenic (5-caffeoylquinic), syringic, p-coumaric and sinapic acids, as well as (+)-catechin, 1,4-naphthoquinone and juglone were detected. The walnut liqueur under analysis was made of the cultivars ‘Franquette’ and ‘Elit’, on two sampling dates (June 30th and July 7th). A close interaction between cultivar and sampling date was noticed for most of the phenolics analyzed. The content levels of the main phenolic compounds under investigation were highest in ‘Franquette’ at the end of June and lowest in ‘Elit’ on the second or both sampling dates, except for syringic acid. A strong influence of cultivar choice and picking date was observed. The content levels of most phenolics were higher in liqueur prepared from the cultivar ‘Franquette’, than in ‘Elit’.     

Analysis of Phenolic Compounds of Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum Miq.) Fruits by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

Dabai (Canarium odontophyllum Miq.) fruit is a popular seasonal indigenous fruit of Sarawak, Malaysia that is always appreciated as an exotic fruit by the local community. The present study was designed to identify and quantify the phenolic compounds of dabai fruits from different divisions of Sarawak. Difference between the purple and red varieties of the fruits was also investigated. Analysis of phenolic compounds was performed by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detector. Three detection wavelengths (280, 254 and 329 nm) were used to monitor all phenolic compounds (except for anthocyanidins) since they display absorbance maxima at different wavelengths. Characteristic spectra of eluted peaks provide useful information in confirming the identities of peaks. Hydrolysis of phenolic compounds of dabai fruits was insufficient under the milder conditions (30 °C, 2 h) employed thus resulted in unidentified peaks. Two phenolic acids (ellagic and vanillic acids), five flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin, epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin gallate, apigenin) and ethyl gallate were detected in the fruits. Furthermore, three anthocyanidins (cyanidin, pelargonidin and delphinidin) and four anthocyanins (malvidin-3,5-di-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and peonidin-3-O-glucoside) were detected. All these phenolic compounds were reported in dabai fruits for the first time. The fruit variety affected the anthocyanidins and anthocyanins profile (p < 0.01) but had little or no effect on the phenolic acids and flavonoids profile of the fruits. Within the same variety, diversity in environmental conditions had an impact on the quantitative differences of phenolic compounds (p < 0.05).     

Effect of increasing manganese concentration in nutrient solution on the antioxidant activity,vitamin C,lycopene and polyphenol contents of tomato fruit

ABSTRACT

This study evaluated the effect of increasing manganese (Mn) nutrition on the content of antioxidative compounds such as vitamin C, lycopene and polyphenols, and the antioxidant activity of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill., cvs ‘Alboney F1’ and ‘Emotion F₁’) fruit. Plants were grown in rockwool using a nutrient solution with the following content of Mn (mg dm^–3): 0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 4.8, 9.6 and 19.2. The level of vitamin C and lycopene decreased with the increasing Mn nutrition. Since the colour of fruits was correlated with the change in carotenoid content, the decrease in lycopene content promoted the reduction of redness and increase of yellowness of fruits. However, total polyphenol content and antioxidant activity significantly increased when plant were exposed to toxic levels of Mn. Observed changes could be the result of the oxidative stress induced by high concentrations of Mn. Polyphenolic compounds play a crucial role in the plant’s response to Mn stress and affect predominantly the total antioxidant properties of fruits, which could be used as a source of phenolics. Moreover, total phenolic content measurement, as an easy and inexpensive method, could be used as an indicator of Mn-induced stress in fruits of tomato.     

Discrimination of citrus fruits using FT-IR fingerprinting by quantitative prediction of bioactive compounds

High throughput screening of citrus samples containing elevated concentrations of total carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds was accomplished using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, combined with multivariate analysis. Principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis using FT-IR spectra were able to differentiate seven citrus fruit groups into three distinct clusters corresponding to their taxonomic relationship. Quantitative prediction modeling of total carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds in citrus fruit was established using a partial least squares regression algorithm from the FT-IR spectra. The regression coefficients (R ²) of predicted and estimated values of total carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds were all 0.99. The results indicated that accurate quantitative predictions of total carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds were possible from citrus fruit FT-IR spectra, and that the resulting quantitative prediction model might be useful as a rapid selection tool for citrus fruits containing elevated carotenoids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds.     

Organ-specific distribution of phenolic compounds in bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) and ‘northblue’ blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum x V. angustifolium)

Blueberries and bilberries are recognized as some of the best sources of flavonoids, especially anthocyanins. The contents of flavonoids (anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, flavonols) and hydroxycinnamic acids in the flower, fruit skin and pulp, leaf and rhizome of bilberry and the blueberry cultivar ‘Northblue’ were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography combined with diode-array detection. The most striking difference in the fruits was the predominance of hydroxycinnamic acids in blueberry, whereas in bilberry the anthocyanin content was much higher, particularly in the pulp. Differences in flavonoid contents of fruits were already apparent at the flower stage. Bilberry and blueberry leaves both contained high amounts of proanthocyanidins, flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acids. Blueberry rhizomes accumulated high amounts of hydroxycinnamic acids. All plant parts of bilberry and blueberry are potential sources of phenolic compounds for use either as dietary botanicals or by the pharmaceutical industry.     

温州蜜柑、椪柑采后酚类物质及抗氧化活性比较研究

通过研究温州蜜蜂柑、椪柑两个常见柑橘品种贮藏期间类黄酮、酚酸类物质及抗氧化活性的变化规律,评价其采后的营养品质。结果表明：贮藏60d后温州蜜柑较好地保持了抗坏血酸含量,而椪柑损失较大。类黄酮类物质较稳定,温州蜜柑中黄烷酮含量贮藏后有所增加,椪柑中则呈缓慢下降趋势,2种柑橘中酚酸类物质贮藏后都有所增加。总酚含量在贮藏前期呈下降趋势,贮藏后期温州蜜柑中总酚含量增加而在椪柑中进一步下降。抗氧化能力与抗坏血酸的变化趋势类似。与椪柑相比,贮藏期间温州蜜柑能更好地保持果实的营养品质及酚类物质,从而保持较高的抗氧化活性。     

Changes of hydrogen peroxide and radical-scavenging activity of raspberry during osmotic, convective, and freeze-drying

This study was conducted to investigate the influence of different drying treatments on antioxidant (AO) activity and phenolic content of raspberry (Rubus idaeus), cultivar Willamette. Whole raspberry fruits were dried convectively (air-drying), osmotically, and freeze-dried. Acetone-water extracts of fresh and dried raspberries were assessed for total phenolic content by standard Folin-Ciocalteau method. Two AO assays were applied, a recently developed direct current (DC) polarographic assay based on decrease of anodic oxidation current of hydrogen peroxide and widely used radical scavenge against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Strong correlation has been obtained between both AO assays and total phenolic content. In addition, some individual phenolic compounds present in raspberry have been assessed using DPPH and DC polarographic assay. Comparison and evaluation of drying methods has been based on preservation of AO activity and total phenolic content. Obtained results confirmed superiority of freeze-drying; convective drying caused slight changes while osmotic dehydration showed a significant decrease of phenolic compounds and AO activity.     

Cultivars, culture conditions, and harvest time influence phenolic and ascorbic acid contents and antioxidant capacity of strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa)

Strawberries are a good source of micronutrients, especially antioxidant phenolics. More information is needed to better exploit the health-promoting effect of such fruits. Several studies focused on the effects of genotype, cultural practices, and seasonal variation on the antioxidant potential of strawberries, but often yielding contradictory results and/or focusing on only 1 source of variability. In the present study, we showed that total phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid, and antioxidant capacity strongly differed between genotypes of strawberry. The precise results revealed the importance of genetic background for the antioxidant capacity and for the content of total phenolics (with up to 3.3-fold variations). Other parameters may also influence the antioxidant capacity in strawberry such as harvest time, culture conditions, and environmental factors. Moreover, in this study, the harvesting time (at the same ripening stage) appeared to be very important, more important than genotype. Variations of the antioxidant capacity of up to 4.1-folds were observed following the harvesting time of "Elsanta" cultivar. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: This article compares the antioxidant capacity and the content in ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds of strawberries of different varieties and of fruits harvested from April to December at the same ripening stage. The importance of strawberry antioxidant capacity resides in its benefits for human health.     

Effect of Post-harvest UV-B Irradiation on Polyphenol Profile and Antioxidant Activity in Flesh and Peel of Tomato Fruits

In the present study, the possibility of enhancing phenolic and flavonoid concentration in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruits by post-harvest irradiation with UV-B light was assessed. Fruits of the commercial cv Money Maker (MM) and the mutant genotype high pigment-1 (hp-1), constitutively rich in these compounds, were harvested at mature green and turning stages and left to ripen within climatic chambers where they were daily treated with UV-B radiation (1 h, 6.08 kJ/m² day). In control chambers, UV-B radiation was screened by benzophenone-treated polyethylene film. The treatment was generally effective in increasing phenolic, flavonoid and flavonol concentration in both peel and flesh of MM and hp-1 fruits, although in this latter the positive response to UV-B treatment was mainly evident in fruits harvested at mature green stage. Following UV-B treatment, antioxidant activity increased in the peel of both genotypes independently from the harvesting stage and in the flesh of hp-1 fruits harvested at mature green stage. Hydroxycinnamic acids of both genotypes reacted to UV-B treatment differently depending on harvesting stage and tissue localisation, generally showing an increase in the peel of fruits harvested at mature green stage. With few exceptions, UV-B irradiation also induced a higher accumulation of individual flavonoids both in the peel and in the flesh of MM and hp-1 fruits independently from harvesting stage. Based on these results, UV-B irradiation can be considered a promising technique to increase the nutraceutical potential of tomato fruits by non-molecular tools.     

增施CO2与LED补光对番茄果实品质及挥发性物质的影响

以‘金棚1号’番茄为实验材料,研究了在秋冬季日光温室里增施不同浓度CO2和LED补光对番茄果实产 量、品质以及挥发性芳香物质的影响。结果表明：LED补光＋增施CO2 1 200 μL/L的处理条件可显著提高番茄果实 中可溶性固形物、总酸、可溶性蛋白质和番茄红素的含量,显著增加单果质量、果实颜色,并显著降低果实硝酸盐 的含量。利用顶空固相萃取结合气相色谱-质谱联用仪对果实的挥发性芳香物质的含量进行测定,结果表明LED补 光与增施CO2提高了番茄特征挥发性芳香物质的含量,如6-甲基-5-庚烯-2酮、β-紫罗兰酮和己醛等,也丰富了其种 类,使番茄果味香浓,香气丰富。     

Characterisation of antioxidant compounds in sweet bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) under organic and conventional growing systems

BACKGROUND: Sweet red bell pepper is one of the best sources of ascorbic acid and carotenoids as well as phenolic compounds important in the human diet. There have been some studies showing a higher level of bioactive compounds in organic bell pepper fruits compared with conventional fruits, but not all studies have been consistent in this respect. The levels of carotenoids and phenolics are very variable and may be affected by ripeness, genotype and cultivation. RESULTS: The results obtained in this study showed that an organic growing system affected the level of bioactive compounds (carotenoids and polyphenols) in sweet bell pepper fruits cultivated in Poland. Organic bell pepper fruits contained significantly more dry matter, vitamin C, total carotenoids, β‐carotene, α‐carotene, cis‐β‐carotene, total phenolic acids (as well as individual gallic and chlorogenic acids) and flavonoids (quercetin D ‐glucoside, quercetin and kaempferol) compared with conventional fruits. The bell pepper variety also affected the level of antioxidant compounds in fruits. CONCLUSION: Organic growing increased the level of antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, phenolic compounds and vitamin C in sweet bell pepper. The second significant factor affecting the antioxidant compound content of sweet bell pepper was variety. It would be necessary to continue this study as a long‐term experiment in order to eliminate the influence of seasonality. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Phenolic acids and flavonoids profiles of extracts from edible wild fruits and their antioxidant properties

In this study, the total phenolic, total flavonoids, phenolic compounds, the mineral content, and antioxidant activity of fruit extracts of seven wild species (Crataegus monogyna Jacq., Prunus spinosa L., Rosa canina L., Hippophaë rhamnoides L., Rubus fruticosus L., Prunus padus, Cornus mas L.) were investigated. The results indicated significant differences (p < 0.05) in the total phenolics and total flavonoids content, between the seven analyzed species. These ranged from 184.69 to 727.29 mg GAE/100 g FW and 17.27 to –165.55 mg QE/100 g FW, respectively. The antioxidant activity found in fruits was not directly affected by the total phenolic content (TPC). This activity was linked to a larger extent to the type of individual phenolic compounds and to a lesser extent to the TPC, because fruits with higher TPC have not always presented the highest values of antioxidant activity. HPLC analysis of methanolic extract showed the presence of phenolic acids (i.e. gallic, vanillic, chlorogenic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric, ferulic, sinapic, salycilic, elagic, and trans-cinnamic) and flavonoids (i.e. catechin, epicatechin, rutin, myricetin, and quercetin). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in each individual mineral between fruits from wild flora. The fruits tissues of wild species turned out to be a good source of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), chromium (Cr), zinc (Zn), and boron (B). The results demonstrated that wild species possessed great potential for food production as sources of bioactive compounds such as phenolic compounds and minerals, for food supplements or functional foods.     

LC–DAD–MS (ESI+) analysis of the phenolic content of Sorbus domestica fruits in relation to their maturity stage

The aim of this study was the detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of the phenolic content of several extracts and fractions of Sorbus domestica fruits. The analysis was realized by LC–DAD–MS (ESI+). Twenty-four different extracts and fractions of five different maturity stages of the fruit were analyzed for comparison reasons in order to determine the most beneficial for health type of consuming. Sixty-two different phenolics were identified. There were significant qualitative and quantitative differentiations in the phenolic content among the different types of the fruits. All categories were rich in benzoic, phenylpropanoic and cinnamoylquinic acids and derivatives. Unripe fruit categories were also rich in flavonoids, while well matured fruit categories had a low content of flavonoids. Fruit pulp, which was proved to be a strong antioxidant according to previous research work, contained very low amounts of both acids and flavonoids, but its phenolic content was highly qualitatively differentiated from the other categories.     

Effect of the Winemaking Practices and Aging on Phenolic Content of Smederevka and Chardonnay Wines

Changes of the polyphenolic content, including total phenolics (TP), total flavonoids (TF), and total flavan-3-ols (TF_3-ols) determined by spectrophotometric methods, have been studied in Macedonian white wines from Vitis vinifera L. cv, Smederevka and Chardonnay, obtained under different vinifications and analyzed during 16 months of aging in bottles. Winemaking treatments for both varieties included an addition of two doses of SO₂ (50 and 100 mg/L) and two commercial yeasts for fermentation, Vinalco and Levuline, both Saccharomyces cerevisiae species, in order to study the influence of SO₂ and yeasts on the phenolic content of the wines. Comparing the two varieties, Chardonnay wines contained higher levels of total phenolics, flavonoids, and flavan-3-ols, probably as a result of the cultivar differences. Sulfur dioxide protected the phenolic oxidation, resulting in higher phenolic content in the wines with higher SO₂ dose, while the yeast did not show significant influence on the total phenolics. During aging, the TP, TF, and TF_3-ols in the wines from both varieties decreased significantly up to the second month of storage and remained stable till the sixth month. The Student–Newman–Keuls test has been applied to ascertain possible significant differences between the studied wines, and a principal component analysis has been employed, showing separation and grouping of the wines according to the cultivar and time of aging.     

The profile in polyphenols and volatile compounds in alcoholic beverages from different cultivars of mulberry

Abstract: Mulberry fruits have different chemical compositions because of cultivar variation. In this study, polyphenol profile and volatile composition of alcoholic beverages produced from different mulberries of Da 10, Hongguo 2 hao, and Hongguo 1 hao were investigated. Statistically significant differences were detected in the chemical composition of the analyzed alcoholic beverage samples. The beverage of Da 10 possessed the highest content of total phenols, total flavonoids, and total anthocyanins, which was determined by spectrophotometry analysis, contrarily Hongguo 1 hao beverage showing the lowest. Phenolic acids and flavonols were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography analysis. Protocatechuic acid was the main phenolic acid in all analyzed alcoholic beverage samples, and its concentration ranged from 8.20 mg L^?1 (Hongguo 1 hao beverage) to 29.98 mg L^?1 (Da 10 beverage). High level of flavonols was found in both Da 10 and Hongguo 2 hao beverage samples, whereas Hongguo 1 hao beverage sample was characterized with lower level of flavonols. Furthermore, volatile compounds were analyzed by solid phase microextraction‐gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. The amount of esters varied widely among the 3 alcoholic beverage samples. The concentration of aliphatic alcohols in Hongguo 2 hao and 1 hao beverage samples was higher than Da 10 sample, whereas Da 10 beverage sample contained more aromatic alcohols than the others. Hongguo 1 beverage sample showed the highest concentration of acetic acid. This study demonstrated that quantitative differences of phenolic compounds and volatile compounds among cultivars were significant, which highly affected the quality of alcoholic beverage from mulberry. Practical Application: Mulberry fruits had different chemical compositions because of cultivar variation. The analyzed Da 10 cultivar of mulberry appeared to be a good raw material for alcoholic beverage‐making because of its high level of total sugar and acidity. This study demonstrated that alcoholic beverages from mulberry contain high amounts of polyphenols. These bioactive compounds may act synergistically to promote health, and reduce risk factors of chronic diseases.     

Phenolics, betacyanins and antioxidant activity in Opuntia joconostle fruits

Sour prickly pears (xoconostles) are fruits from Opuntia joconostle cactus, which are cultivated in the central Mexico area. Phenolic and pigment content in various parts of O. joconostle fruits were analyzed. The antioxidant activity of a methanolic extraction and different semi-purified fractions were also evaluated by the DPPH⁺ method. Xoconostle fruits were obtained from a commercial orchard in Mexico State. Fruits were analyzed as whole fruit and each fruit part including pericarp, mesocarp and endocarp. Samples were homogenized and kept at 4 °C until sample preparation. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content varied among the different parts of the fruit. The highest amount of phenolic compounds and total flavonoids content were found in pericarp 2.07 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g fresh weight (FW) and 0.46 mg(+)-catechin equivalents (CE)/g FW respectively. Seven phenolics were identified as protocatechuic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, vanillic and syringic acids, rutin, and quercetin. The color of the fruit parts was mainly due to the presence of betacyanins. The betacyanin concentration was higher in the endocarp (23.03 mg betanin equivalents/100 g fresh weight) than in the pericarp and mesocarp. Betacyanins were identified by HPLC-PDA-MS as betanin, isobetanin, betanidin, isobetanidin, and phyllocactin. Methanolic extracts and semi-purified fractions A (phenolics and flavonols) and B (betacyanins) of xoconostle showed high antioxidant activity mainly in the pericarp. These results suggest that xoconostle is a rich source of antioxidant compounds such as phenolic compounds and betacyanins.