Passiflora edulis Sims. cultivated in Sicily: chemical profile, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial potential of its passion fruit

Passiflora edulis Sims., a tropical species valued for passion fruit also known as maracuja, due to climate change, is now cultivated also in Mediterranean regions. Passion fruit juice processing generates by-products that may represent valuable sources of bioactive compounds. This study, for the first time, characterises the nutritional and chemical profiles of P. edulis fruits cultivated in Sicily, Italy. Arillate seeds and peels were analysed for proximate composition, fatty acid profile, mineral content, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Arillate seeds showed to be rich in proteins and lipids, with a predominance of polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, and favourable related atherogenic and thrombogenic indices. Peels were rich in dietary fibre and minerals, notably Ca and Mn, and showed interesting antioxidant activity. Overall, Sicilian P. edulis fruit peel and arillate seeds might be promising sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds for potential industrial applications.