On Fruit Characteristics of Wild Rose Hip (Rosa spp.) Genotypes from Isfahan Region of Iran

Rose species are well known for their medicinal properties. In the past few years, there has been a rising interest in the rose hip as a fruit crop, chiefly due to its nutritive and health promoting values. Iran has one of the most important germplasm centers for rose species. In this research, we study three wild rose species, namely Rosa beggeriana Schrenk., Rosa foetida J. Herrm., and Rosaorientalis Dupont Ex. Ser. in Esfahan province and measure their fruit characteristics in the period of 2014-2015. The fruit weight, length and width, flesh thickness and weight, seed weight and number of species were ranged between 0.19 – 2.01 g; 7.21 – 20.60 mm; 7.61 – 14.54 mm; 0.65 – 1.44 mm; 0.08 – 1.27 g; 0.09 – 0.59 g, and 18.33 – 28.67, respectively. The highest levels of ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents were observed in R. beggeriana with corresponding values of 2011.19 mg/100g FW and 126.88 mg GAE/g DW.The lowest levels of ascorbic acid and total phenolic contents were measured in R. orientalis and R. foetida with corresponding values of 369.23 mg/100g FW and 110.82 mg GAE/g DW. Further, the highest total carotenoids level belonged to R. beggeriana (509.78 µg/g FW), and the lowest total carotenoids level belonged to R. foetida (376.61µg/g FW). Finally, the highest total anthocyanins level was observed in R. orientalis (168.90µmol/g FW) and the lowest total anthocyanins level was measured in R. foetida (58.83µmol/g FW). Species identified in this study could be of much use in the further breeding programs due to their diverse biochemical profile, as demonstrated by the present investigation.