ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FIVE CULTIVARS OF Psidium guajava L.

Abstract

In recent years, interest over guava (Psidium guajava L.) consumption has increased, due to tis high nutritional content. México is the third most important producer in the world, and Michoacán occupies the first place as the producer of this fruit. However, there is low productivity and lack of uniformity in the quality of the fruit. The antioxidant capacity of five guava cultivars (Hidrozac, Caxcana, Merita, Calvillo Siglo XXI and Huejucar) was evaluated, which are adapted to the producing region of Zitácuaro, Michoacán, México. The compounds analyzed were: ascorbic acid, determination of polyphenoles, and activity of ABTS radicals (2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid), and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). The five cultivars showed favorable values that make them valuable for the study region.