Fruits from six persimmon (Diospyros kaki)
genotypes were compared for phenolic compounds and
their antioxidant capacity in this study. The results showed
that all fruit extracts exhibited strong antioxidant activities,
which generally correlated positively with the total phenolic
contents, total flavonoid contents, and total flavanol
contents. High-performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC) analysis revealed that gallic acid and quercetin
were the major phenolic components in the fruit extracts of
six D. kaki genotypes. Hierarchical cluster analysis showed
that wild genotype D. kaki. var. Silvestris Makino belongs
to the group with high phenolic content and strong antioxidant
ability, while astringent genotypes D. kaki. cv.
Xiuningbianshi and D. kaki. cv. Zhouqumomoshi are
arranged in one group characterized by moderate phenolic
content and antioxidant capacity, the non-astringent genotypes
D. kaki. cv. Zenjimaru, D. kaki. cv. Jiro and the
astringent genotype D. kaki. cv. Xingyangshuishi belongs
to the third group because of their low phenolic content and
weak antioxidant activity. On the basis of the results
obtained, the persimmon fruit could be a potential source
of natural antioxidants for food and pharmaceutical
applications.