An Investigation of the Secondary Metabolites and Antioxidant Capacity of Some Commercial Iranian Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Cultivars under Drought Stress

Background and Aim: This research was conducted in order to investigate secondary metabolite contents such as ellagic acid, total phenol, total flavonoid and antioxidant capacity in some commercial Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) cultivars under drought stress. Materials and Methods: The experiment was a factorial arrangement based on a completely randomized design with three replications. Two factors, including pomegranate cultivars (Rabab Neyriz, Nadery badroud, Shyshah cap Ferdous, Ardestany Mahvelat, Malase Yazd and Shirinshavar Yazd) and irrigation levels (60% and 40% field capacity), the moderate and severe stresses respectively, and 80% field capacity as control were used and the plants were kept for six weeks. Subsequently, the alteration of some secondary metabolite contents, including ellagic acid content, total phenol, total flavonoid and antioxidant capacity in fully developed leaves were measured under above treatments. Results: In this research, all the examined cultivars had similar responses to drought stress treatments, but the intensity of these responses was different in various cultivars. Drought stress caused an increase in ellagic acid content, total phenol, total flavonoid and antioxidant capacity in all cultivars. Conclusion: According to the ultimate results, due to the high amount of ellagic acid, total phenol, total flavonoid and the consequent antioxidant capacity of the pomegranate leaf, it can be used in medicinal industry to produce herbals drugs.