Comparative phytochemical property and antioxidant activity of sixteen Mei (Prunus mume) fruit cultivars from six provinces in China

Mei (Prunus mume) is widely planted in Eastern Asian countries. To evaluate the effect of cultivar and producing origin on the quality of Mei fruit, we studied the phytochemical properties and antioxidant activities of the 16 Mei fruit cultivars from 6 provinces in China, as well as their profiles of 121 volatile compounds, 5 organic acids, 13 minerals, 24 amino acids and 3 active peptides. Multivariate analysis revealed that the four Mei fruit cultivars with a drier climate in Yunnan province had the characteristics of low water moistures and proteins contents, high total acids, soluble solids, flavones, and phenols contents, and high antioxidant activities, which could be distinguished from fruits of other producing areas. Further component analysis showed that Mei fruits were rich in volatile compounds, organic acids (such as citric acid and malic acid), minerals (such as K, Ca, Mg, P, and Fe), and amino acids (such as Orn, Asn, and Asp), and the nutrient composition ratio in different cultivars was different. In conclusion, Mei fruits can be used as nutritious health food and different cultivars focus on different nutritional compositions.