Nutritional composition in fruits of gynodioecious papaya genotypes

The experiment was carried out during 2014–15 to find out the nutritive value of female and hermaphrodite fruits of gynodioecious genotypes of papaya fruits to know their nutrient status. The fruits of five gynodioecious genotypes, namely, P-7-2, P-9-5, P-7-9, P-7-15 and commercial hybrid Red Lady, were evaluated for moisture content, protein, fibre, lycopene, β-carotene, phenols, flavonoids, and various antioxidant activities The total moisture per cent was found minimum (85.62) in P-7-9 followed by P-7-15 and P-9-5 (86.69). The maximum protein (8.71% on DW basis) was in P-9-5 and P-7-9. The lower moisture per cent, fibre, β-carotene, total phenols (31.79 mg GAE/100 g), flavonoids (31.75 mg QE/100 g) and free radical scavenging activity DPPH (0.27 μmol TE/g) were found significantly higher in hermaphrodite fruits of all gynodioecious genotypes. However, protein, lycopene and total carotene were observed higher in female fruits. Fruits of P-9-5 was found with highest amount of nutritive values, particularly total phenols, flavonoids and free radical scavenging activity DPPH followed by P-7-9, and P-7-15.