The first detailed phytochemical screening was performed on juices prepared from arils of wild pomegranate fruits taken from several locations in Montenegro with the aim of their future valorization. Particular attention is paid to the effect of pomegranate growth conditions on the juice quality. In addition to the basic parameters of pomegranate fruits and juices, nine primary metabolites (sugars, organic acids and vitamin C) were determined in the juices. Among 97 phenolic compounds, 23 anthocyanins and their derivatives, 33 ellagitannins and derivatives of ellagic acid, 12 flavanols, 4 flavonol glycosides, 1 flavone, 17 hydroxybenzoic acids and 7 hydroxycinnamic acids and their derivatives, were identified. Flavanols (1137-4424 mg/L) as well as ellagitannins and ellagic acid derivatives (1849-2991 mg/L) had the highest concentrations in pomegranate juices. Juices from the pomegranates grown on two soil types had total analyzed phenolics ranging from 4387 mg/L (Eutric Cambisol) up to 8461 mg/L (Terra Rossa).
Keywords: High-performance liquid chromatography; Organic acids; Phenolics; Pomegranate juice; Soil; Sugars.
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