Changes of Some Flavonoids in the Peel of Satsuma Mandarin (Citrus unshiu) Harvested during Maturation

Eight flavonoids, including rutin, naringin, hesperidin, quercetin, hesperetin, nobiletin, 3,5,6,7,8,3',4'-methoxylated flavone, and tangeretin, in the peels of satsuma mandarin (Citrus unshiu) species of Halla, Gungcheon, Hungjin, Namgam-20, Illnam-1, and Chungdo harvested between August and December were analyzed through HPLC. Hesperidin content of Halla harvested during early maturation was 28.70 mg/g, and was the highest among the tested citrus fruits. Rutin content of Hungjin harvested during early maturation was 2.66 mg/g. Naringin in all citrus species and hesperetin in Halla, Gungchun, Namgam-20, and Chungdo were only detected in the peel of fruits harvested during early maturation. Hesperidin and rutin were detected mainly in all citrus species, and other flavonoids in trace. Flavonoid content in the peel of fruits was high during early maturation. Flavonoid contents in the peels of all fruit samples were generally high in the early stage of maturation, which then decreased rapidly.