Investigation of Phytochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Fruit and Vegetable Peels

Plants are rich in phytochemicals which have positive effects on health. In this study, the phytochemical components of the some fruit and vegatable peels, produced in the significant amounts in Turkey, including kiwi (Actinidia deliciosa), melon (Cucumis melo), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), apple (Malus domestica), quince (Cydonia oblonga) and pomegranate (Punica granatum) were determined. The moisture, ash, fat, ascorbic acid and β carotene contents of the peels were determined. Peels were extracted in 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% ethanol solutions and total phenolic, total flavonoids and total monomeric anthocyanin contents and antioxidant capacities of the extracts were investigated. It was concluded that the concentrations of 25% and 50% ethanol were more successful than other concentrations to extract the phenolic compounds. Total monomeric anthocyanin, flavonoid, phenolic contents and antioxidant capacity of the pomegranate peel were found to be significantly higher than the other peels. It was determined that the melon rind contained more β-carotene and quince peel contained more ascorbic acid content than the other peels.