Comparative analysis of tocopherol content in pulp and peel of eight apple cultivars

Yahia, Elhadi M.; Ornelas-Paz, José De Jesús; Victoria-Campos, Claudia Inés

doi:10.22077/jhpr.2025.9049.1483

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Faculty of Natural Sciences, Autonomous University of Querétaro, Querétaro, Mexico.

² Research Center for Food and Development, Cuauhtémoc, Chihuahua, Mexico.

³ Faculty of Nursing and Nutrition, Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.

https://doi.org/10.22077/jhpr.2025.9049.1483

Abstract

Purpose: Tocopherols (vitamin E) are important bioactive components in some fruits, possessing potent antioxidant activity and exerting a significant influence on metabolic pathways, human nutrition, and health. However, the content of tocopherols in apple fruit peels and pulp has scarcely been investigated. Research method: Fruits of eight apple cultivars were evaluated for color, total soluble solids (TSS), and tocopherols from both the pulp and peels were extracted and analyzed. Findings: The content of a-tocopherol (0.073–0.656 and 0.01–0.02 mg/100 g fresh weight (FW) in the peel and pulp, respectively) was higher than that d-tocopherol (0.002–0.01 and 0.0001–0.0014 mg 100 g FW in the peel and pulp, respectively), and both tocopherols were higher in the peels than in the pulp. The content of a-tocopherol followed the order: ‘Braeburn’ > ‘Golden Delicious’ > ‘Rome’ > ‘Red Delicious’ and ‘Royal Gala’ > ‘Jonagold’ > ‘Fuji’ > ‘Granny Smith’. Low levels of d-tocopherol were detected in the peels. ‘Granny Smith’ apples had the highest d-tocopherol content in the peel (0.01 mg 100 g FW), whereas ‘Rome Beauty’, ‘Royal Gala’ and ‘Fuji’ apples exhibited the lowest levels (0.002 mg 100 g FW). Research limitations: There were no limitations identified. Originality/Value: Our results indicate that tocopherols content in apple peels and pulp is relatively low compared to other types of fruits rich in vitamin E. However, regular consumption of whole apples may contribute to daily vitamin E intake and help prevent the oxidation of lipophilic biomolecules.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Postharvest Biology and Technology

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Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research

Comparative analysis of tocopherol content in pulp and peel of eight apple cultivars

References

References

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 22 August 2025

Comparative analysis of tocopherol content in pulp and peel of eight apple cultivars

References

References

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof Available Online from 22 August 2025

Articles in Press, Corrected Proof
Available Online from 22 August 2025