0023-6152

AA00697606

7234019

The dragon gained popularity globally among farmers and consumers as a result of its antioxidant benefits. In the meantime, when compared to open field conditions, both genotypes of dragon fruit (white and red) are successfully grown in an aonla–based multistoried system without sacrificing fruit yield. On the other hand, the nutritional value of dragon fruit grown in shade has not yet been studied. However, the nutritional value of dragon fruit plays a significant role in its health benefits. The antioxidant content of dragon fruit genotypes grown under different shade levels (75% in multistoried and 78.6% in double storied) created by upper storied tree species has therefore been studied. Under a multistoried system the current study was carried out between July 2021– June 2022. Dragon fruit samples were collected and quality analysis was done at Agro–processing laboratory. Three replications of a two–factor randomized complete block design were used to examine the quality attributes of dragon fruit. Sample fruits of two dragon fruit genotypes were randomly collected from three treatments. The antioxidant activity of dragon fruit was not significantly impacted by the multistoried system although it produces larger and sweet red fleshed dragon fruit than open field condition. The antioxidant activities were measured by ABTS (2–2’– azinobis (3–ethyl–benzothiazoline–6–sulfonic acid) and DPPH were recorded the highest in multistoried system (T_1) 28.26 (87.13%) and 18.54 (91.51%) mg of ascorbic acid. Similar trend of variation was observed in total phenolic and flavonoid contents of dragon fruit pulp which were 28 mg GAE/100 mL and 48.94 mg QE/100 mL of juice, respectively. Between the genotypes of dragon fruit red flesh genotype contain higher antioxidants than white one. Total phenol, flavonoid content, ABTS and DPPH showed negative linear relationship with light intensity but showed positive liner relationship with antioxidant activity.