A Comparative Study Between Labeling and Reality: The Case of Phytochemical Composition of Commercial Pomegranate‐Based Products

• Published in: Journal of food science 2017-08, Vol.82 (8), p.1820-1826
• Main Authors: Cano‐Lamadrid, Marina, Lipan, Leontina, Calín‐Sánchez, Ángel, Hernández, Francisca, Carbonell‐Barrachina, Ángel A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acids; antioxidant capacity; Antioxidants - chemistry; Berries; Case depth; Comparative studies; Descriptive labeling; dietary supplements; Dietary Supplements - analysis; Dietary Supplements - economics; Ellagic acid; Ellagic Acid - analysis; Food Labeling; Hydrolyzable Tannins - analysis; Juices; Labeling; Labels; Marking; Phytochemicals; Phytochemicals - chemistry; Plant Extracts - chemistry; polyphenol intake; Polyphenols; Punica granatum L; Punicaceae - chemistry; punicalagin; Standardization; Variability
• ISSN: 0022-1147; 1750-3841
• DOI: 10.1111/1750-3841.13788

Manufacturers are deeply involved in the development of new pomegranate‐based products, which have acquired great prestige due to many studies proving their potential health benefits. Commercial pomegranate products including capsules and supplements and juices and nectars were assayed. The contents of the key phytochemical compounds (punicalagin, ellagic acid, and total polyphenolic content) and the associated antioxidant capacity (DPPH•, ABTS•+, and FRAP) were analyzed. The experimental ranges of punicalagin and ellagic acid contents were 0.96 to 308 mg/g and 0.09 to 13.1 mg/g, respectively. Punicalagin content was positively correlated (P  0.05) correlation was observed among ellagic acid with the antioxidant capacity. The labeling standardization of these products is necessary due to the wide variability among “theoretically” similar pomegranate‐based products. Practical Application There is a need for labeling “standardization” of these products due to the wide variability of the key compounds (punicalagins, ellagic acid, and the total polyphenolic compounds) among “theoretically” similar pomegranate‐based products. The contents of the key compounds should be declared on product labels, as indicators of the potential health benefits, and should replace subjective functional descriptions.