Work

Biochemical discrimination and market-oriented qualitative traits of a 24 lemon cultivar collection

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Lemon [Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f.] is an important species cultivated in several citrus-producing countries. Lemon fruits are usually used for fresh consumption and for processed juice due to their excellent nutraceutical properties attributed to their high levels of bioactive compounds, mainly specialized (secondary) metabolites. A total of 24 cultivars were studied (20 belonging to the Italian germplasm plus 4 international varieties) for their morphological parameters, specialized metabolite content evaluated by HPLC/Uv-Vis/DAD and UPLC/ESI/Orbitrap MS analyses and antioxidant activity of juices assessed by ABTS+ and DPPH• tests. State of the art statistical tools were used to rationalize the data. The results obtained allowed us to assess biochemical variability and to identify a commercial placement (fresh market vs industrial transformation) for the analyzed genotypes.

Source: Journal of Agriculture and Food Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.jafr.2026.102658

Authors: Giulia Modica, Luana Pulvirenti, Alessandra Gentile, Giuseppe Ruberto, Laura Siracusa, Alberto Continella

Institutions: University of Catania, Istituto di Chimica Biomolecolare

Language: English

Topic: Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Activities

Subfield: Biochemistry

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,530