Yield, quality, antioxidants and mineral nutrients of Physalis angulata L. and Physalis pubescens L. fruits as affected by genotype under organic management

Abstract

Introduction and selection of unconventional plants with high concentration of biologically active compounds is one of the worthy ways for producing functional food, which is beneficial to human health. Research was carried out in northern Europe (Russia) with the purpose to assess yield, quality and biologically active compounds concentration in Physalis angulata and Physalis pubescens fruits. P. angulata cultivars Konditer and Konditer 2 gave the highest yield (11.3 and 11.0 t·ha-1 respectively), due to the highest mean fruit weight (80 and 70 g respectively); P. pubescens variety Zolotaya rossip had the worst outcome due to the very small berries (3 g), in spite of their highest number per plant (165). ‘Zolotaya rossip’ fruits overall attained higher values of quality indicators compared to all P. angulata cultivars. Positive correlations were recorded between dry matter and polyphenols as well as between total sugars and polyphenols. Physalis fruits showed to be a good source of antioxidants, K, Mg and P for human beings. Taste index turned out highly reliable in evaluating fruit quality and it was dependant on dry matter, total sugars, polyphenols and Ca.