Antioxidant Capacity and Nutritional Value of Peels and Seeds of Selected Pomegranate (<em>Punica granatum</em> L.) Cultivars from Sri Lanka

Purpose: Nonedible portion of Pomegranate is reported to be rich with a diverse range phytochemicals which embrace health promotive features. Though antioxidant power and nutritive value fruit juice are well known, knowledge nonedible fraction very poor. Hence, evaluation nutritional peel seed pomegranates was targeted Research Method: IC50, Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP), Total Phenolic (TPC), Flavonoid (TFC), Anthocyanin pro-anthocyanidin Contents (ProAC) were determined. Nutritional studied by proximate analysis. Findings: TPC, FRAP TFC values peels ranged from 4.6 41.1μg/mL, 318±1.77 478±5.62 mg Gallic acid equivalent/g, 4.270±0.83 6.690±0.15 mM Fe2+/g 52.64±0.24 75.99±0.849 Rutin equivalent mg/g respectively. all the extracts above as compared samples, highest IC50 TPC in Daya whereas Nimali Kalpitiya red had TAC ProAc. Proximate analysis revealed that Protein, lipid fiber contents higher seeds than peels. Carbohydrate content seeds. Limitations: There some practical limitations such long dry spells also finding suitable fields for experiment, due farmers’ hesitation on possible yield reduction. Originality/ Value: Findings reveal selected cultivars pomegranate possess exceptionally high could applied an excellent source natural future therapeutic medicine safer food industries. High nutrient by-products facilitate develop nutritionally valuable components functional ingredients nutraceuticals.