Title: Total phenol content of guava fruit and development of an in vitro regeneration protocol amenable to genetic improvement

Authors: Viji Sitther; Donna L. Harris; Sadanand A. Dhekney; Jinhe Bai; Elizabeth A. Baldwin; Anand K. Yadav

Addresses: Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA. ' Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA. ' Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA. ' USDA-ARS Citrus & Subtropical Products Laboratory, 600 Ave. S, North West, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA. ' USDA-ARS Citrus & Subtropical Products Laboratory, 600 Ave. S, North West, Winter Haven, FL 33881, USA. ' Agricultural Research Station, Fort Valley State University, 1005 State University Drive, Fort Valley, GA 31030, USA

Abstract: Total soluble phenolics in two white ('Allahabad Safeda' and 'Lucknow-49'), two pink ('Beaumont' and 'Gushiken Sweet'), and three red fleshed ('Ka Hua Kola', 'Ruby Supreme' and 'Red Fleshed') guava (Psidium guajava L.) fruits were assessed using the Folin-Ciocalteu procedure. 'Allahabad Safeda' and 'Ruby Supreme' contained the highest level of phenols (1,967.5 and 1,921.25 g/g gallic acid equivalents). No significant difference in phenolic content was observed between white and red fleshed guava fruits. An in vitro method was developed for clonal propagation of 'Lucknow-49' and 'Gushiken Sweet' cultivars. Five concentrations of six-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and kinetin (KIN) plant growth regulators were tested for in vitro regeneration. A maximum of 4.5 shoots per explant was produced on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 8.9 M BAP + 9.4 M KIN. These studies indicate that guava, a rich source of natural phenolic antioxidants, can be efficiently micropropagated for genetic studies to enhance its nutraceutical value.

Keywords: antioxidants; flesh colour; fruits; guava fruit; micropropagation; multiple shoots; nutrition; phenol content; plant growth regulators; plant regeneration; in vitro regeneration.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFSNPH.2011.044625

International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition and Public Health, 2011 Vol.4 No.2/3/4, pp.225 - 236

Published online: 27 Nov 2014 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article