Metabolomic carnitine profiles and potential health benefits of pomegranate species

Dikme, T. Gül;Dikme, Reşat;Temiz, Ebru;Koyuncu, Ismail;Eği, Kadir
(2025) Acta Alimentaria — Vol. 54, n° 2, p. 281-293 (2025)

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Authors
  • Dikme, T. Gülorcid-logoDepartment of Food Technology, Siverek Vocational School, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
    Author
  • Dikme, ReşatDepartment of Dialysis, Vocational School of Health Services, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
    Author
  • Temiz, EbruUCLouvain
    Author
  • Koyuncu, IsmailDepartment of Medical Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
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  • Eği, KadirDepartment of Dialysis, Vocational School of Health Services, Harran University, Şanlıurfa, Türkiye
    Author
Abstract
Metabolomics, unlike traditional methods for analysing the nutritional content of fruits and vegetables, enables the detection of low-molecular-weight metabolites (<1 kDa), including carnitine and its derivatives, acylcarnitines. These compounds are integral to energy metabolism, facilitating mitochondrial transport of long-chain fatty acids, cytosolic export of short-chain fatty acids, stabilisation of the mitochondrial coenzyme A to acetyl-CoA ratio, preservation of membrane integrity, and reduction of lactate production. While carnitine profiles in various fruits and vegetables have been extensively studied, data on its presence in pomegranates remains limited. This study aims to elucidate the carnitine composition in five pomegranate cultivars using LC-MS/MS analysis. Results indicate significantly higher concentrations of free carnitine and acetylcarnitine in the Suruç variety, alongside other notable acylcarnitines, including propionylcarnitine, hydroxyisovalerylcarnitine, adipoylcarnitine, and oleylcarnitine. These findings position pomegranate as a promising dietary component with potential health benefits attributed to its carnitine content.
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Citations

Dikme, T. G., Dikme, R., Temiz, E., Koyuncu, I., & Eği, K. (2025). Metabolomic carnitine profiles and potential health benefits of pomegranate species. Acta Alimentaria, 54(2), 281-293. https://doi.org/10.1556/066.2024.00280 (Original work published 2025)