Abstract
Fruits of five regional selections of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) were characterized to identify those with international marketing quality to promote their propagation in Mexico, improvement and conservation in germoplasm bank. The fruits were harvested in June, July, and August 2008 and, after each harvest, were assessed for shape (length/diameter), firmness, fruit weight, number of fruits per kilogram, weight and percentage of pericarp, seed and aril, total soluble solids, total sugars, vitamin C content, pH, and titratable acidity. In addition, a sensorial evaluation was carried out with 31 panelists who graded each selection for color, sweetness, and acidity. Fruits of five selections were ovoid, and with the following characteristics: firmness values from 43.7 to 51.0 N, fruit weight ranged from 22.4 to 34.7 g, registering from 28.9 to 45.0 fruits per kg; pericarp weight from 10.5 to 17.3 g (45.9 to 49.9% of the total fruit weight); total seed weight from 2.2 to 2.5 g (7.0 to 10.0%); average arils weight from 8.9 to 13.1 g (37.5 to 41.4%). The fruits had high contents of total soluble solids (17.8 to 20.4 ºBrix), total sugars (211.95 to 242.70 mg/100g in the edible portion), vitamin C (37.9 to 69.1 mg/100 g), pH 5.0, and titratable acidity of 0.20 to 0.28%. The fruits from the RT-01 and RT-05 selections had better attributes in fruit weight, total soluble solids and titratable acidity and were better accepted by the panelists. Harvest date significantly affects rambutan fruit quality; at the middle and end of the season harvested fruits had better qualitative characteristics for the marketing.
Highlights
Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) is a tropical fruit belonging to the Sapindaceae family
The fruits of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) used were obtained of tree propagated by seed, which were selected among four orchards because of the high quality fruits
It is known that variability among rambutan trees is high because of crossed pollination and propagation by seed, numerous cultivars have been selected by the growers for its high yield and fruit quality (SMITH et al, 1992); these selections have been adapted to specific conditions and can behave differently in other environments and harvest dates
Summary
Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) is a tropical fruit belonging to the Sapindaceae family. The fruits are ovoid, with a red or yellow pericarp covered with soft spines that vary in coloring from green, yellow and red They possess an edible aril (rich in vitamin C) that is white or translucent, sweet and juicy and clings to the testa seed (NAKASONE; PAULL, 1998; SMITH et al, 1992; WALL, 2006). Rambutan fruit should satisfy the following requirements to be considered of international quality: uniform red color; free of lesions, insects and diseases; clean; weight above 30 g; spines no longer than 1 cm; thick, firm aril that readily separates from the seed, and a total soluble solid content of 16 to 18% (LANDRIGAN et al, 1996; KADER, 2006). The data of the sensorial analysis were transformed to ranges using Minitab statistical software and analysis of variance in a complete random design, considering the 31 panelists as replications and the selections as treatments
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