Assessment of Essential Nutrients, Bioactive Compounds, and Antioxidant Activity in the Leaves and Fruits of Chinese Olive (Canarium album (Lour.) DC.) Cultivars.

In this study, leaves and fruits from 13 major Chinese olive (Canarium album (Lour.) DC.) cultivars were analyzed to identify cultivars with high medicinal value, as indicated by their profiles of essential nutrients, bioactive compounds, and antioxidant activity. Significant genotypic variations were observed among cultivars. Correlation analysis revealed leaf calcium and nitrogen negatively impacted flavonoid accumulation, while fruit calcium enhanced phenolics and alkaloids synthesis. In addition, flavonoids were found to be the dominant drivers of antioxidant activity. Notably, Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) revealed that the Suanghuxiang, Liehuo, and Zachi cultivars exhibited the highest total flavonoid content and antioxidant capacity in leaves, while Xiaodingxiang, Wangbo, Fengyu1, Ma2, and Langshang showed the highest levels of these properties in fruits. Conversely, the Fenghu, Xi1, Tianzhong, Lingfeng, and Qingying cultivars displayed the lowest overall medicinal properties, characterized by the lowest levels of total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity. This study identifies elite cultivars for medicinal use and provides a foundation for breeding programs and optimized fertilization.