Research Article
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Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit

Year 2026, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 238 - 244, 15.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1817745
https://izlik.org/JA95RX32WP

Abstract

This study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the biochemical constituents of medlar (Mespilus spp.) fruits. The fruit samples were analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity and major phenolic and organic acid components. The analyses revealed that medlar fruits are rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds and exhibit high antioxidant capacity. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that phenolic compounds are positively correlated with antioxidant activity, while some organic acids showed a negative correlation. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the variation among fruit constituents was largely attributed to phenolic compounds, which are the main factors shaping the overall biochemical profile of the fruit.

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was not required for this study because of there was no study on animals or humans.

Supporting Institution

ANKARA UNİVERSİTY

References

  • Akbulut, M., Ercisli, S., Jurikova, T., Mlcek, J., & Gozlekci, S. (2016). Phenotypic and Bioactive Diversity on Medlar Fruits (Mespilus germanica L.). Erwerbs-Obstbau, 58(3), 185–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-016-0272-z
  • Arkain, B., & Alibaş, İ. (2025). Effect of different drying methods on bioactive potential and nutrients of medlar fruit. Scientific Reports, 15, 10202. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86955-3
  • Baird, J. R., & Thieret, J. W. (1989). The Medlar (Mespilus germanica, Rosaceae) from antiquity to obscurity. Economic Botany, 43(3), 328–372. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858732
  • Bibalani, G. H., & Mosazadeh-Sayadmahaleh, F. (2012). Medicinal benefits and usage of medlar (Mespilus germanica) in Gilan Province (Roudsar District), Iran. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 6(7), 1155–1159. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR11.661
  • Bostan, S. Z. (2002). Interrelationships among pomological traits and selection of medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) types in Türkiye. Journal of the American Pomological Society, 56(4), 215–218.
  • Ebrahimzadeh, M. A., Hosseinimehr, S. J., Hamidinia, A., & Jafari, M. (2008). Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Feijoa sellowiana fruits peel and leaves. Pharmacologyonline, 1, 7–14.
  • Fu, H. X., Zhang, L. L., He, B., Yue, P. X., & Gao, X. L. (2015). Analysis of organic acids in blueberry juice and its fermented wine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology, 9(2), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.19026/ajfst.9.1947
  • Gamez-Meza, N., Noriega-Rodriguez, J. A., Medina-Juarez, L. A., Ortega-Garcia, J., Cazarez-Casanova, R., & Angulo-Guerrero, O. (1999). Antioxidant activity in soybean oil of extracts from thompson grape bagasse. Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 76 1445–1447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-999-0182-4
  • Gerçekcioğlu, R., & Yiğithanoğlu, Ö. (2023). Performances of Medlar Tree (Mespilus germanica L.) Genotypes Selected From Tokat Province (Selection II). Fruit Research Institute, 10(2), 216–225. https://doi.org/10.51532/meyve.1378499
  • Gruz, J., Ayaz, F. A., Torun, H., & Strnad, M. (2011). Phenolic acid content and radical scavenging activity of extracts from medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) fruit at different stages of ripening. Food Chemistry, 124(1), 271–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.06.030
  • Güler, E., Taş, A., Canan, İ., & Gündoğdu, M. (2025). Exploring the morphometric and biochemical quality characteristics of local medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) genotypes in West Black Sea (Bolu) of Türkiye. Discover Plants, 2, 175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-025-00266-5
  • Łata, B., Latocha, P., Łaźny, R., & Gutfeld, A. (2024). Comparison in antioxidant potential and concentrations of selected bioactive ingredients in fruits of lesser-known species. Foods, 13(18), 2926. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13182926
  • Llauradó Maury, G., Méndez Rodríguez, I., Hendrix, S., Arranz, J. C. R., Boix, Y. F., Pacheco, A. O., Diaz, J. G., Morris-Quevedo, H. J., Dubois, A. F., Aleman, E. I., Beenaerts, N., Méndez-Santos, I. E., Ratón, T. O., Cos, P., & Cuypers, A. (2020). Antioxidants in Plants: A Valorization Potential Emphasizing the Need for the Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Cuba. Antioxidants, 9(11), 1048. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9111048
  • Mezhenskyj, V. M., Mezhenska, L. O., Mazur, B. M., Marchuk, Y. M., Topchii, O. V., & Ivanytska, A. P. (2025). Morphological and biochemical characteristics of medlar (Crataegus germanica) fruits in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Biosystems Diversity, 33(2). https://doi.org/10.15421/012519
  • Nikolić, J., Stankov Jovanović, V., Pavlović, J., Nikolić, M. D., Barjaktarević, A., Obradović, K., & Mitić, M. (2025). Variations in quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in flowers, leaves and fruits of Mespilus germanica L. during harvesting period. Separations, 12(4), 268. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12100268
  • Nistor, D. I., Marc, R. A., & Mureșan, C. C. (2024). Phytochemistry, nutritional composition, health benefits and future prospects of Mespilus germanica L. (Medlar): A review. Food Chemistry: X, 22, 101334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101334
  • Oktay, M., Gülçin, İ., & Küfrevioglu, Ö. İ. (2003). Determination of in vitro antioxidant activity of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed extracts. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 36(2), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(02)00226-8
  • Phipps, J. B. (1990). Mespilus canescens, a new Rosaceous endemic from Arkansas. Systematic Botany, 15(1), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.2307/2419013
  • Popović-Djordjević, J., Kostić, A. Z., Kamiloglu, S., Tomas, M., Mićanović, N., & Capanoglu, E. (2023). Chemical composition, nutritional and health-related properties of the medlar (Mespilus germanica L.): from medieval glory to underutilized fruit. Phytochemistry Reviews, 22, 1663–1690. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-023-09883-y
  • Schaefer, K., Nyberg, A., Postman, J., & Bassil, N. (2015). Genetic diversity of medlar (Mespilus germanica) germplasm using microsatellite markers. ISHS Acta Horticulturae, 1094, 47–56. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1094.3
  • Singh, R., Rastogi, S., & Dwivedi, U. N. (2010). Phenylpropanoid metabolism in ripening fruits. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 9(4), 329–436. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00116.x
  • Singleton, V. L., Orthofer, R., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. (1999). Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology, 299, 152–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-6879(99)99017-1
  • USDA Agricultural Research (2023). Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). USDA Agricultural Research Service. https://doi.org/10.15482/USDA.ADC/1212393
  • Voaides, C., Radu, N., Birza, E., & Babeanu, N. (2021). Medlar–A comprehensive and integrative review. Plants, 10(11), 2344. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112344
  • Wen, D., Li, C., Di, H., Liao, Y., & Liu, H. (2005). A universal HPLC method for the determination of phenolic acids in compound herbal medicines. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(17), 6624–9. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0511291
  • Woisky, R. G., & Salatino, A. (1998). Analysis of propolis: Some parameters and procedures for chemical quality control. Journal of Apicultural Research, 37(2), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.1998.11100961
  • Yunusaa, U. M., & Ozturk Urek, R. (2024). Phenolic composition, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects on HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines of Mespilus germanica grown in Türkiye. Natural Product Research, 38(11), 1972–1976. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2230612
  • Żołnierczyk, A. K., Ciałek, S., Styczyńska, M., & Oziembłowski, M. (2021). Functional properties of fruits of common medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) extract. Applied Sciences, 11(16), 7528. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167528

Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit

Year 2026, Volume: 9 Issue: 1, 238 - 244, 15.01.2026
https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1817745
https://izlik.org/JA95RX32WP

Abstract

This study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the biochemical constituents of medlar (Mespilus spp.) fruits. The fruit samples were analyzed for total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity and major phenolic and organic acid components. The analyses revealed that medlar fruits are rich in phenolic and flavonoid compounds and exhibit high antioxidant capacity. Pearson correlation analysis indicated that phenolic compounds are positively correlated with antioxidant activity, while some organic acids showed a negative correlation. Principal component analysis demonstrated that the variation among fruit constituents was largely attributed to phenolic compounds, which are the main factors shaping the overall biochemical profile of the fruit.

Ethical Statement

Ethics committee approval was not required for this study because of there was no study on animals or humans.

Supporting Institution

ANKARA ÜNİVERSİTESİ

References

  • Akbulut, M., Ercisli, S., Jurikova, T., Mlcek, J., & Gozlekci, S. (2016). Phenotypic and Bioactive Diversity on Medlar Fruits (Mespilus germanica L.). Erwerbs-Obstbau, 58(3), 185–191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10341-016-0272-z
  • Arkain, B., & Alibaş, İ. (2025). Effect of different drying methods on bioactive potential and nutrients of medlar fruit. Scientific Reports, 15, 10202. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86955-3
  • Baird, J. R., & Thieret, J. W. (1989). The Medlar (Mespilus germanica, Rosaceae) from antiquity to obscurity. Economic Botany, 43(3), 328–372. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02858732
  • Bibalani, G. H., & Mosazadeh-Sayadmahaleh, F. (2012). Medicinal benefits and usage of medlar (Mespilus germanica) in Gilan Province (Roudsar District), Iran. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 6(7), 1155–1159. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR11.661
  • Bostan, S. Z. (2002). Interrelationships among pomological traits and selection of medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) types in Türkiye. Journal of the American Pomological Society, 56(4), 215–218.
  • Ebrahimzadeh, M. A., Hosseinimehr, S. J., Hamidinia, A., & Jafari, M. (2008). Antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of Feijoa sellowiana fruits peel and leaves. Pharmacologyonline, 1, 7–14.
  • Fu, H. X., Zhang, L. L., He, B., Yue, P. X., & Gao, X. L. (2015). Analysis of organic acids in blueberry juice and its fermented wine by high-performance liquid chromatography. Advance Journal of Food Science and Technology, 9(2), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.19026/ajfst.9.1947
  • Gamez-Meza, N., Noriega-Rodriguez, J. A., Medina-Juarez, L. A., Ortega-Garcia, J., Cazarez-Casanova, R., & Angulo-Guerrero, O. (1999). Antioxidant activity in soybean oil of extracts from thompson grape bagasse. Journal of the American Oil Chemists Society, 76 1445–1447. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11746-999-0182-4
  • Gerçekcioğlu, R., & Yiğithanoğlu, Ö. (2023). Performances of Medlar Tree (Mespilus germanica L.) Genotypes Selected From Tokat Province (Selection II). Fruit Research Institute, 10(2), 216–225. https://doi.org/10.51532/meyve.1378499
  • Gruz, J., Ayaz, F. A., Torun, H., & Strnad, M. (2011). Phenolic acid content and radical scavenging activity of extracts from medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) fruit at different stages of ripening. Food Chemistry, 124(1), 271–277. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2010.06.030
  • Güler, E., Taş, A., Canan, İ., & Gündoğdu, M. (2025). Exploring the morphometric and biochemical quality characteristics of local medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) genotypes in West Black Sea (Bolu) of Türkiye. Discover Plants, 2, 175. https://doi.org/10.1007/s44372-025-00266-5
  • Łata, B., Latocha, P., Łaźny, R., & Gutfeld, A. (2024). Comparison in antioxidant potential and concentrations of selected bioactive ingredients in fruits of lesser-known species. Foods, 13(18), 2926. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13182926
  • Llauradó Maury, G., Méndez Rodríguez, I., Hendrix, S., Arranz, J. C. R., Boix, Y. F., Pacheco, A. O., Diaz, J. G., Morris-Quevedo, H. J., Dubois, A. F., Aleman, E. I., Beenaerts, N., Méndez-Santos, I. E., Ratón, T. O., Cos, P., & Cuypers, A. (2020). Antioxidants in Plants: A Valorization Potential Emphasizing the Need for the Conservation of Plant Biodiversity in Cuba. Antioxidants, 9(11), 1048. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9111048
  • Mezhenskyj, V. M., Mezhenska, L. O., Mazur, B. M., Marchuk, Y. M., Topchii, O. V., & Ivanytska, A. P. (2025). Morphological and biochemical characteristics of medlar (Crataegus germanica) fruits in the Forest-Steppe of Ukraine. Biosystems Diversity, 33(2). https://doi.org/10.15421/012519
  • Nikolić, J., Stankov Jovanović, V., Pavlović, J., Nikolić, M. D., Barjaktarević, A., Obradović, K., & Mitić, M. (2025). Variations in quantitative composition of phenolic compounds in flowers, leaves and fruits of Mespilus germanica L. during harvesting period. Separations, 12(4), 268. https://doi.org/10.3390/separations12100268
  • Nistor, D. I., Marc, R. A., & Mureșan, C. C. (2024). Phytochemistry, nutritional composition, health benefits and future prospects of Mespilus germanica L. (Medlar): A review. Food Chemistry: X, 22, 101334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fochx.2024.101334
  • Oktay, M., Gülçin, İ., & Küfrevioglu, Ö. İ. (2003). Determination of in vitro antioxidant activity of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) seed extracts. LWT-Food Science and Technology, 36(2), 263–271. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0023-6438(02)00226-8
  • Phipps, J. B. (1990). Mespilus canescens, a new Rosaceous endemic from Arkansas. Systematic Botany, 15(1), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.2307/2419013
  • Popović-Djordjević, J., Kostić, A. Z., Kamiloglu, S., Tomas, M., Mićanović, N., & Capanoglu, E. (2023). Chemical composition, nutritional and health-related properties of the medlar (Mespilus germanica L.): from medieval glory to underutilized fruit. Phytochemistry Reviews, 22, 1663–1690. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-023-09883-y
  • Schaefer, K., Nyberg, A., Postman, J., & Bassil, N. (2015). Genetic diversity of medlar (Mespilus germanica) germplasm using microsatellite markers. ISHS Acta Horticulturae, 1094, 47–56. https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2015.1094.3
  • Singh, R., Rastogi, S., & Dwivedi, U. N. (2010). Phenylpropanoid metabolism in ripening fruits. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 9(4), 329–436. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2010.00116.x
  • Singleton, V. L., Orthofer, R., & Lamuela-Raventós, R. M. (1999). Analysis of total phenols and other oxidation substrates and antioxidants by means of Folin–Ciocalteu reagent. Methods in Enzymology, 299, 152–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0076-6879(99)99017-1
  • USDA Agricultural Research (2023). Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). USDA Agricultural Research Service. https://doi.org/10.15482/USDA.ADC/1212393
  • Voaides, C., Radu, N., Birza, E., & Babeanu, N. (2021). Medlar–A comprehensive and integrative review. Plants, 10(11), 2344. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112344
  • Wen, D., Li, C., Di, H., Liao, Y., & Liu, H. (2005). A universal HPLC method for the determination of phenolic acids in compound herbal medicines. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 53(17), 6624–9. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf0511291
  • Woisky, R. G., & Salatino, A. (1998). Analysis of propolis: Some parameters and procedures for chemical quality control. Journal of Apicultural Research, 37(2), 99–105. https://doi.org/10.1080/00218839.1998.11100961
  • Yunusaa, U. M., & Ozturk Urek, R. (2024). Phenolic composition, antioxidant, and cytotoxic effects on HeLa and HepG2 cancer cell lines of Mespilus germanica grown in Türkiye. Natural Product Research, 38(11), 1972–1976. https://doi.org/10.1080/14786419.2023.2230612
  • Żołnierczyk, A. K., Ciałek, S., Styczyńska, M., & Oziembłowski, M. (2021). Functional properties of fruits of common medlar (Mespilus germanica L.) extract. Applied Sciences, 11(16), 7528. https://doi.org/10.3390/app11167528
There are 28 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Agricultural Engineering (Other)
Journal Section Research Article
Authors

Fatma Alan 0000-0001-5266-6339

Submission Date November 5, 2025
Acceptance Date December 8, 2025
Early Pub Date December 11, 2025
Publication Date January 15, 2026
DOI https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1817745
IZ https://izlik.org/JA95RX32WP
Published in Issue Year 2026 Volume: 9 Issue: 1

Cite

APA Alan, F. (2026). Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, 9(1), 238-244. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1817745
AMA 1.Alan F. Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2026;9(1):238-244. doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1817745
Chicago Alan, Fatma. 2026. “Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus Spp.) Fruit”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 9 (1): 238-44. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1817745.
EndNote Alan F (January 1, 2026) Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 9 1 238–244.
IEEE [1]F. Alan, “Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit”, BSJ Eng. Sci., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 238–244, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.34248/bsengineering.1817745.
ISNAD Alan, Fatma. “Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus Spp.) Fruit”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science 9/1 (January 1, 2026): 238-244. https://doi.org/10.34248/bsengineering.1817745.
JAMA 1.Alan F. Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2026;9:238–244.
MLA Alan, Fatma. “Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus Spp.) Fruit”. Black Sea Journal of Engineering and Science, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 238-44, doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1817745.
Vancouver 1.Fatma Alan. Phytochemical Characterization of Medlar (Mespilus spp.) Fruit. BSJ Eng. Sci. 2026 Jan. 1;9(1):238-44. doi:10.34248/bsengineering.1817745

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