The antioxidant profile of three different peaches cultivars (Prunus persica) and their short-term effect on antioxidant status in human

Total polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin C were assessed in three different peaches cultivars (Prunus persica): 'Luisa Berselli' (LB), 'Stark Earlyglo' (SE) and 'Maria Serena' (MS). Total antioxidant capacity of fruits and plasma antioxidant activity after ingestion of fruits were determined as Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and as plasma total radical-trapping potential (TRAP) respectively. The amount of polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamin C resulted to be generally similar in the three cultivars. TEAC, measured from harvest to 7 days postharvest, resulted to be influenced mainly by vitamin C content, whereas polyphenols and carotenoids seemed to play a secondary role. Although TEAC was similar in the three cultivars, only LB significantly increased the TRAP in human plasma at 1, 2 and 4 h after ingestion of peaches. Sugar moiety, condensed and glycoside phenols are suggested to be involved in the higher effect on plasma TRAP of LB.