In Davidson’s Plums, anthocyanins were the major phenolic compounds detected.
The total amount of anthocyanins in Davidsonia jerseyana was 98.6 mg C3G/g DW and in Davidsonia pruriens was 47.8 mg C3G/g DW (Table 1).
The observed differences could be due to cultivar specificity and/or fruit maturity. Other components found in small amounts included myricetin, rutin and quercetin hexoside.
Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants and a range of health benefits arising from their consumption have been reported, such as anti-diabetic effects [21] and reduction
of obesity [22]. Cyanidin 3- sambubioside isolated from flowers of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. induced apoptosis (programmed cell death, known also as cell suicides) of cancer cells in vitro (cell culture studies) [23].
Table 3. Major phenolic compounds identified in selected native Australian fruits
T- traces; P – possible (confirmation required)
* This extract contained components that require further investigation in order to establish their identity. Major peaks in the extract exhibited m/z 682 (fragments: 454, 438), m/z 454 (fragments 182, 210, 226), m/z 334 (fragment 164).
Based on the high level of anthocyanins in the flesh,
the potential application of Davidson’s Plum as a source
of a natural food colour with health-enhancing properties for a wide application in beverages and confectionery might be considered.