Effects of cold storage on quality parameters and nutraceutical compounds of pomegranate fruits (cv. Acco)

Punica granatum L. contains several bioactive compounds with antioxidant activity that have a positive effect on human health. This study aims to investigate the changes in the chemical-physical and qualitative parameters of pomegranate fruits cv. Acco from harvest up to +90 days of cold storage (+4°C and 95% RH). Morphological parameters, juice yield, weight loss, total soluble solids content (TSS), pH, titratable acidity, the color of the epicarp (L*, a*, b*), content of polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and antioxidant activity were analyzed. The results showed an increase (about 29%) in the juice content (%) at +60 days of cold storage. Cold storage has also shown positive effects on some bioactive compounds. Flavonoids and anthocyanins content increase from 287.98 mg CE/100 ml of juice to 389.23 mg of CE/100 ml of juice and from 8.32 to mg/100 ml of juice to 11.13 mg/100 ml of juice at + 90 days of cold storage, respectively.  On the basis of our results that confirmed the literature data, the pomegranate fruit is rich in bioactive compounds that exert beneficial actions on human health, and it has also been demonstrated that such nutraceutical compounds increased during cold storage, allowing the fruit to be preserved a long term.