Polyphenol composition analysis in 30 cultivars of persimmon fruits: comparison of polyphenols between cultivars in Japan, China, and Korea.

Polyphenol composition in persimmon fruits were analyzed for 30 cultivars using thiolysis-liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Regarding the amount of proanthocyanidins, persimmon polyphenols were classified into three groups: pollination constant and non-astringent (PCNA) from Japan, non-PCNA (pollination variant and non-astringent (PVNA), pollination variant and astringent (PVA), pollination constant and astringent (PCA)) from Japan and PCA from China, and PCA from Korea. Similar to the genetic-based classification and the molecular structures including the degree of polymerization and galloyl group ratio, as well as the bioactivities, such as the anti-oxidative activities and the inhibitory effects on amylolytic enzymes, were consistent with the amount of proanthocyanidins. In all cultivars investigated, the inhibitory activity of α-amylase was the strongest, followed by that of α-glucosidase, maltase, and sucrase. Since persimmon polyphenols have been reported to suppress the increase in postprandial blood glucose levels, they can be used for glycemic control regardless of the cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]