ARI Biennial Review for 2018-2019

abundant phenolics were chlorogenic acid ( x = 5503 μg g −1 dw), feruloylquinic acid ( x = 974.1 μg g −1 dw), and caffeoyl feruloyl tartaric acid ( x = 993 μg g −1 dw). Hydroxycinnamic acids accounted for 79.0% of the mean total phenolic content across species, flavonol glycosides for 20.7% and flavone glycosides for 0.3%. The general response across species was a decrease in individual polyphenolic constituents, particularly flavonol glycosides and total polyphenols under blue-red light. The pronounced effectiveness of monochromatic blue light in eliciting synthesis of flavonoids could be linked to their capacity for absorbing shorter wavelengths thereby quenching generated photo-oxidation potential. The light-induced stimulation of the phenylpropanoid pathway by monochromatic blue light through epigenetic mechanisms or redox signaling in the photosynthetic apparatus warrants further investigation. The current work highlights how optimised genetic background combined with effective light management might facilitate the production of superior functional quality microgreens. (M.C. Kyriacou, G.A. Soteriou) Functional quality in novel food sources: Genotypic variation in the nutritive and phytochemical composition of thirteen microgreens species Compositional variation was examined across 13 microgreens species/subspecies representing Brassicaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Lamiaceae, Malvaceae and Apiaceae, grown in controlled environment. Macro-mineral concentrations were determined by ion chromatography, chlorophyll and ascorbate concentrations, and hydrophilic/ lipophilic antioxidant potentials by spectrophotometry, and major carotenoids by HPLC-DAD. Nitrate hyper-accumulators and wide genotypic differences in Na, K and S concentrations were identified. Antioxidant capacity was highest in brassicaceous microgreens and significant genotypic variation was demonstrated in chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations. High phenolic content was confirmed in Lamiaceae microgreens, with significant varietal differences, and alternative phenolics-rich microgreens from the Apiaceae were identified. Twenty-eight phenolic compounds were variably detected and quantitated through Orbitrap LC–MS/MS with flavonol glycosides, flavones and flavone glycosides, and hydroxycinnamic acids representing 67.6, 24.8 and 7.6% of the mean total phenolic content across species, respectively. The obtained information is critical for selecting new species/varieties of microgreens that may satisfy demand for both taste and health. (M.C. Kyriacou, G.A. Soteriou) Physicochemical characterisation and trait stability in a genetically diverse ex situ collection of pomegranate ( Punica granatum L.) germplasm from Cyprus Proximity to the center of origin and geographical isolation shaped a unique genetic diversity of pomegranate in Cyprus that constitutes a valuable resource for the crop. Physicochemical characters and trait stability were studied for three years in an ex situ collection of 29 pomegranate accessions from Cyprus. Accession signature traits with exceptional yearly stability were titratable acidity and the citrate/malate ratio. Overall, the Cypriot germplasm was characterised by juice of low anthocyanin content (x=20.6 mg/L) and moderate phenolic content (x=613.0 mg/L) with glucose (x=69.1 g/L) and fructose (x=74.2 g/L) as predominant sugars. Juice antioxidant capacity was associated primarily with total phenolics and less so with juice colour and anthocyanin content. Total sugar content was higher in large-fruited accessions with darker juice. In most accessions the titratable acidity was low (< 0.50% w/v), with citric (x=44.7%), malic (x=39.1%) and succinic (x=15.8%) being the main organic acid fractions detected. Based on the maturity index (SSC/TA), six accessions were sweet-sour or borderline sweet-sour and 23 accessions were sweet. Cluster analysis of phenotypic characteristics and genetic data revealed a core group of thirteen genetically and phenotypically close accessions constituting the 29 VEGETABLE CROPS − − − − − − −