Evaluation of Morphological, Qualitative, and Metabolomic Traits during Fruit Ripening in Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.)

Pomegranate is characterized by several local accessions and cultivars widespread across different countries, each with bio-agronomic features. Physiological biochemical processes occur during fruit ripening, leading to changes in size, color, flavor, improving the fruit’s acceptability for consumer. The aim of this study was evaluate physico-chemical nutritional traits three Italian germplasm genotypes (‘Santa Lucia’, ‘Di Benedetto’, ‘Arborea’) determine differences these parameters both within same cultivar four ripening stages, between individual stage. Morphological pigmentation showed variation process, higher values at final highest weight detected Benedetto’ (392.19 g), while ‘Arborea’ displayed high juice content. Qualitative traits, such as soluble solids, increased until stage III, titratable acidity decreased ‘Arborea’. In all accessions, a reduction total polyphenols up III observed. Metabolomic analyses using 1H-NMR (proton nuclear magnetic resonance) citric acid sugar content according accession considered. This found variability nutraceutical among analyzed pomegranates. pomegranate significant qualitative metabolomic characteristics. Principal component analysis revealed main that contribute positive negative correlations PC1 PC2, highlighting great investigated genotypes.