African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Effects of sulphur preservative on phytochemical and antioxidant capacity of peels of mango cultivars (Mangifera indica L.) produced in South Africa

Mudau Fhatuwani Nixwell1*, Mabusela Johanna2 and Wonder Ngezimana1
  1Department of Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6 Johannesburg, Florida, South Africa. 2Department of Soil Science, Plant Production and Agricultural Engineering, University of Limpopo, Private Bag X1106, Sovenga, 0727, South Africa.
Email: [email protected].

  •  Accepted: 23 September 2013
  •  Published: 31 October 2013

Abstract

 

Fruits have abundant phytochemicals that contribute as bioactive molecules with ability to lower incidence of diseases. Mangoes are rich in polyphenols and antioxidants. In this study, peels of six selected mango cultivars (Tommy Atkins, Peach, Saber, Sunshine, Keitt and Vhavenda) were treated with sulphur dioxide solutions (0, 10, 20, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm) as preservative of phytochemicals and antioxidants capacity. Regardless of cultivar, sulphur concentration had effect on composition of polyphenols and antioxidant capacity of mango peels, reaching a plateau at 50 ppm. Vhavenda cultivar has significantly highest polyphenols and antioxidant capacity than the other cultivars evaluated. This study reveals that mango peels are a prospective source of natural antioxidants as they constitute significantly higher total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content. 

 

Key words: Antioxidants, mango cultivars, peels, phytochemicals, sulphur.

 

 

Abbreviation

ROS, Reactive oxygen species; TPC, total polyphenol content;ABTS, 2,2-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid; TAC, total antioxidant activity.