Quality and Quantity Properties of a Novel Natural Pear Spread in Western Georgia

Abstract

The Caucasus is an area situated between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea and occupied by Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Armenia. It is home to the Caucasus Mountains, including the Greater Caucasus mountain range, which has historically been considered a natural barrier between Eastern Europe and Western Asia. Georgia is a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia. Eurasia is the largest continental landmass on Earth, comprising all of Europe and Asia. Special kind of pear spreads in one region of western Georgia (Adjara) called Khechechuri was the main research topic. Pear is a dietary source of bioactive components such as polyphenols and triterpenic acid. A total of five species of Khechechuri collected from various regions in Adjara were identified, including Adjaristskali, Merisi, Dandalo, Shuakhevi, and Khulo. Each pear fruit was examined and compared by five parts, skin, edible pulp, the whole pear (skin + pulp), Juice and the pomace. All parts were analysed for phenolic compounds, flavonoids, catechins, phenolic acids, and antioxidant activities. The total amounts of phenols, catechines, phenolic acids, and flavonoids were defined with the help of spectral methods and the antioxidant activity was established. The highest amount of total phenolic was found in the skin of Khulo and Adjaristskali which were around (4650, 4500) mg, respectively in 1 kg of the skin. pomace showed significant amount of the total phenolic in all species of khechechuri. It is worth to mention that Khechechuri parts in all different species studied contain flavonoids except the juice of the fruit species.