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The oasis environment, where Tunisian pomegranates are cultivated simultaneously with several crops, was shown to fulfill ecological functions. Few studies related to the effects of environmental factors on pomegranate pre-harvest quality have been carried out, and even less have focused on the interaction between oasis environment and harvest date. This study aims to evaluate the physico-chemical and nutritional properties of pomegranate fruits cultivated under and outside oasis in order to determine the most accurate harvest indices and harvesting date in relation with cropping system. Results revealed that oasis environment was more favorable to produce large sized-fruits with high aril yield and high juice content compared to full sun conditions. Oasis pomegranates exhibited high total anthocyanin content, high hydrophilic antioxidant activity, high level of magnesium, potassium and manganese content. The visual colour of fruits and arils as well as TSS/TA ratio were found the most reliable maturity indices for taking harvest decision of pomegranate fruits. A better red coloration of fruit and arils associated with a balance between sugar content and acidity as well as high nutritional value (high mineral contents particularly Mg, K, Mn, high flavonoid and anthocyanin contents) of pomegranates harvested from different orchards at mid-october (D3) indicated their optimal use at this stage. Nevertheless, the full sun exposed fruits harvested at beginning of October (D2), characterized by pink/pink reddish colour, high TSS content and (TSS/TA) ratio and high calcium content, were considered as matured (commercial maturity) and would be ready for harvesting. Final fruit quality depends on both environmental factors and maturity stage. Based on the identified indices, Gabsi pomegranate harvesting could be started in regular full sun exposed plantations, then in orchards under date palm trees and at least one week later in traditional oases.

Spain is the main European pomegranate producer. Depending on the characteristics and composition, pomegranate fruits may be intended for fresh consumption, industrial processing or medicinal purposes. Therefore, is important to evaluate the variability of different pomegranate cultivars to gain more knowledge about the potential of these fruits. In terms of physicochemical and functional parameters in pomegranate arils, the highest values and concentration were: crude fiber, 2.85% (BA1); potassium, 1.19 g 100 g −1 dry weight (PTO5); total sugars, 15.9 and 15.5 g 100 mL −1 (SM and VA1 respectively); total acids, 4.89 g 100 mL −1 (SM); total polyphenol content, 1791 mg GAE 100 g −1 dry weight (BBE1); ABTS, 4.24 mmol Trolox kg −1 fresh weight (MEC); DPPH, 7.74 mmol Trolox kg −1 fresh weight (MO6); seed hardness score, 7.0 (BA1 and BBE1), aril color, intensity 7.0 (WOND and SM) and sensorial score, 3.0 (ME12, MEM, MEC). Significant differences were found among pomegranate cultivars: soft seeds and high sweetness are optimal for fresh consumption; an intense red color and hard seed are optimal for juice processing; high total polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, crude fiber and minerals can be used as a functional food. Pomegranate cultivars can be considered as a source of fiber and natural antioxidants to develop functional foods.

The present study was conducted to determine the fatty acids composition of Spanish pomegranate arils by gas chromatography. Nine fatty acids were identified and quantified in 20 different pomegranate cultivars. The predominant fatty acids were punicic, conjugated linolenic acid (C18:3), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), palmitic (C16:0), arachidic (C20:0), and stearic (C18:0). The most abundant fatty acid was punicic acid ( cis -9, trans -11, cis -13), characteristic from pomegranate seeds, with concentration ranging from 2509 to 7538 mg per 100 g dried arils; this range was equivalent in terms of percentage of total fatty acid profile, to 59.7–74.3%. The saturated and polyunsaturated acids contents ranged from 3.02 to 6.65% and from 88.1 to 91.7%, respectively. The saturated/unsaturated acid ratio (SFA/UFA) ranged from 0.03 to 0.07. Spanish pomegranate fruits, especially sweet cultivars, could be a good source of essential fatty acids such as punicic and conjugated linolenic acids, increasing the health benefits and nutritional potential.

In recent years, the pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) has acquired wide acceptance due to the growing evidence that consumption is associated with beneficial health properties. The present study was conducted to study the effect of the position of the fruits within the tree in the main quality parameters (total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH and maturity index), the profiles of organic acid, sugars, the amino acid proline, total phenolic compounds, antioxidant activity, and the external and internal color. Analyses were performed on three Spanish pomegranate cultivars: Mollar de Elche (“ME14”), Borde de Albatera (“BA1”) y Pinon Tierno de Ojos (“PTO5”) at three ripening stages. The results showed that the position within the tree had no significant effects on total soluble solids (TSS), the titratable acidity (TA), maturity index (MI), pH, organic acids, sugars profiles, proline, antioxidant activity (AA) and total phenolic compounds (TP); however, it significantly ( p a * and C * along with decreases in b * and H *; this contributed to the production of characteristic garnet color of pomegranate fruits and has high importance in deciding the appropriate harvest time. This study provides useful information about the quality parameters, proline, phenolic compound, antioxidant activity and color of three different type of pomegranate during three ripening stages. It also shows that the fruits exposed to sunlight have similar chemical composition to those fruits exposed to shade except in external color.