A comprehensive study of Iranian wild jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.) by morphological and biochemical traits

Jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.), with high nutritional value, is an important medicinal plant and is consumed worldwide as fresh and dry fruit. Iran is one of the most important germplasm centers for jujube. Jujube fruits are rich in mineral nutrients, protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C. In this study, 12 different wild accessions of jujube were collected from different regions of Isfahan province. A total of thirty-four morphological and biochemical traits were evaluated. Significant differences were detected among accessions. The highest values of fruit length, fruit width, fruit weight, moisture percent, fruit flesh weight, flesh/stone ratio, stone weight, stone length, and stone width were 32.36 mm, 21.68 mm, 7.00 g, 87.11%, 6.61 g, 19.15, 0.39 g, 18.46 mm, and 7.45 mm, respectively. The highest level of total acidity content was observed in the Mahabad accession (1.38%) and the highest level of total soluble solids content was observed in the Poodeh accession (39.6% °Brix). The highest level of ascorbic acid and flavonoid content was measured in the Zavvareh (403.62 mg/kg DW) and Ganje-Ghobad accessions (250.12 mg/kg DW), respectively. The range of total phenolic compounds and mucilage content was from 8.8 to 37.97 (mg/kg DW) and 18.85 to 37.97 (mg/kg DW), respectively. The Anarak accession had the highest Zn (0.82 mg/100 g), Mn (58.37 mg/100 g), and K (698.72 mg/100 g) content, while the highest Fe (11.28 mg/100 g) and Ca (120.09 mg/100 g) content was observed in the Poodeh accession. In addition, the richest source of P (119.94 mg/100 g) was identified in the Kachoomesghal accession. Ganje-Ghobad, Poodeh, Koohpayeh, Anarak, and Zavvareh accessions showed higher values for morphological, and biochemical traits, which can be used for selecting specific genotypes for special purposes in the breeding programs of jujube and for drug industries.