The influence of ripening on the nutrient composition and antioxidant properties of New Zealand damson plums

Abstract The current study pioneers a comprehensive exploration into the influence of ripening stages on the nutritional composition and antioxidant attributes of the New Zealand damson plums ( Prunus domestica ssp. Insititia ). Sampled at early‐, mid‐, and late‐ripening stages from randomly selected plum trees, the investigation unveiled notable significant ( p .05) across ripening stages. Remarkably, damson plums that were harvested at the end of the ripening stage displayed reduced phenolic content and total antioxidant activity compared to those acquired at the early–mid ripening phase. This research collectively highlights the substantive impact of harvesting time and ripening stage on the nutritional and antioxidant profiles of damson plums cultivated in New Zealand.