Influence of seasonal variation on phenolic composition and antioxidant capacity of eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) hybrids

•Effects of growing season on the nutritional quality of eggplant fruits were investigated.•This study indicates that during late autumn and winter, lower levels of solar radiation and temperature in eastern India can be insufficient to stimulate the total antioxidant capacity (estimated by Cupric reducing antioxidant power-CUPRAC assay) and major antioxidants (ascorbic acid and phenolics) in eggplant fruits.•High genetic diversity was found in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) hybrids for biochemical traits in Bihar, India.