Total phe-nols were determined by the Folin–Ciocalteu method, based oncolourimetric oxidation/reduction reactions of phenols (Slinkardand Singleton, 1977). Phenol extraction was carried out with 80%ethanol and the absorbance was measured at 765 nm againsta blank using a spectrophotometer (Spectronic 200+, ThermoScientific). The results were expressed as mg of gallic acid equiv-alents/100 g FW using a gallic acid standard curve. The enzymeactivity of pectin methylesterase was measured with 5 g of tissuesample as per the AOAC (2005). The volume of 0.02 N NaOH con-sumed to adjust the pH to 7.5 was recorded and the results wereexpressed as g/g FW.