Investigating the Nutritional Status, Phenolic Compounds and Phytochemical Constituents of Pomelo (Citrus maxima) Fruit

Abstract

Introduction: Citrus fruits, particularly Citrus Maxima (commonly known as shaddock or pomelo), are renowned for their nutritional richness and bioactive compounds, yet limited research has focused on the comprehensive analysis of both the peel, pulp, and seed of this underutilized species. Aim:  The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of both the seed, peel, and pulp of Citrus maxima (pomelo), in order, to determine their nutritional compositions, polyphenolic and phytochemical constituents. This could promote sustainable utilization of Pomelo, by reducing agricultural waste and supporting circular bio-economy strategies in food systems. Results: The proximate composition revealed that the peel contained (Crude protein (%) 8.14±0.65, ash (%) 5.18±0.78, crude fat (%) 3.82±0.42, crude fiber (%) 34.62±1.29, carbohydrate (%) 43.45 ±1.54, and moisture (%) 8.43±0.76. The pulp contained higher protein (3.80 ± 0.10%), ash (9.43 ± 0.21%), carbohydrate (52.56 ± 1.21%), and moisture (16.31 ± 0.44%) than the seed, while the seed was richer in fat (13.14 ± 0.33%) and fiber (20.12 ± 0.54%). Phytochemical screening showed that saponins were significantly higher in the seed (73.44 ± 1.93%) than in the pulp (62.97 ± 1.65%), whereas alkaloids were more abundant in the pulp (6.34 ± 0.17%) than in the seed (4.23 ± 0.11%). HPLC profiling of phenolic compounds indicated maleic acid, ferulic acid, tannic acid, rutin hydrate, and kaempferol as concentrated embedded phenolics in the various portions of pomelo. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the complementary nutritional and phytochemical significance of the various parts of pomelo fruit. Therefore, industries should explore pomelo fruit waste (peels and seeds) as raw materials for functional food and pharmaceutical formulations for biotechnological advancement.