CHANGES IN PHENOLIC-ACID CONTENTS OF DIOSPYROS-LOTUS L DURING FRUIT-DEVELOPMENT

Changes in phenolic acid contents during fruit development of Diospyro s lotus L. were studied. Salicylic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, vanillic, gentis tic, 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic, syringic, p-coumaric, and gallic acids were identified and quantitated by gas chromatography. The phenolic acid c ontents, except gallic acid, increased in September, reached its highe st value at the end of September, and then decreased rapidly. The frui ts harvested in June, July, August, November, and October have phenoli c acid contents significantly lower than fruits harvested in late Sept ember. Gallic, salicylic, and vanillic acids were predominant and pres ent in all stages of development, except gallic acid, for the fruits h arvested at the end of November.