Novel Data on the Polyphenol Composition of Italian Ancient Apple Cultivars

The pulp polyphenol composition of some Italian ancient apple cultivars, Dominici, Giachetta, Grigia di Torriana, Pom d'Aram, Ronzè, and Ros Borsetta, was studied in comparison with a Golden Delicious commercial variety, over a three-year period. Polyphenols were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and mass spectrometer detectors. The results showed that ancient varieties, such as Grigia di Torriana, Ros Borsetta, and Giachetta, constitute good sources of polyphenols, even without the peel. It was demonstrated that some representative apple phenolics, such as chlorogenic acid and phloridzin, were clearly affected by the harvesting year, whereas others, such as catechins and procyanidins, did not.