Biochemical composition of Prunus persica (Rosaceae) peach fruits of Moscow selection

The aim of the study is to investigate the quality of peach fruits and determine the content of bioflavonoids, carotenoids, vitamin C, organic acids and the total sugar content. As a result of long-term selection of peach Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (Rosaceae) in Moscow, in the N.V. Tsitsin Main Botanical Garden of the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Pizhon and Vratar varieties were obtained, included in the State Register of Breeding Achievements of the Russian Federation in 2023, as well as several forms with good taste qualities. Fruits of the Vratar variety and 4 selected forms - Tolstyak, Perervinskij, Krasnyj Pizhon, Rozovyj of Moscow selection were harvested in 2022-2023 at the stage of technical ripeness. After cleaning the seeds, the fruits were placed in a refrigerator with a temperature of -18 °C. Biochemical analysis was carried out in the VILAR laboratory according to the generally accepted methods of the State Pharmacopoeia of the Russian Federation, XIV edition. In peach fruits, the dry matter varied within 10.7-14.9 %. The fruits are rich in flavonoids (3.1-6.5 mg%), carotenoids (up to 17.3 mg%) and vitamin C (16.6-27.6 mg% on a fresh weight basis) and can be a valuable component of the diet, activating the human immune system and helping to maintain health at a high level. The sugar-acid ratio in peach fruits varied within 8.7 to 15.2. Evaluation of the content of biologically valuable substances and their distribution in selected forms, taking into account a set of biomorphological features, is of great importance for further selection of winter-hardy and productive varieties.