Abstract
ABSTRACT The myrtle (Eugenia gracillima Kiaersk.) is a native fruit species in the Chapada of Araripe, state of Pernambuco, Brazil. The fruits are collected from the wild and are consumed fresh or processed as pulp, juice, jelly, liquor or desserts. Myrtle fruit production is of significant socioeconomic value for the region and, therefore, the description of myrtle fruit ripening stages may contribute to the development of its production chain. As a result, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the physical, quality and ripening changes of myrtle fruits at different developmental stages. The fruits were picked at five distinctive stages and evaluated for longitudinal and transverse diameters; fresh, dry and water mass; water contents; soluble solids (SS); titratable acidity (TA); pH; SS/TA ratio; carbohydrates (starch, total, reducing and nonreducing sugars); ascorbic acid; total pectin, soluble pectins and percentage of pectin solubilization; polymeric, oligomeric and dimeric phenolics; total anthocyanins, carotenoids and chlorophyll; and yellow flavonoids. Along fruit ripening processes increases in SS, anthocyanins and carotenoids, in the SS/TA ratio and of percentages of pectin solubilization were determined. On the other hand, decreases in TA and total chlorophyll were observed. The ripening stage at which peel color is completely dark red (ripening stage 4) is most appropriate to harvest myrtle fruits for human consumption.
Highlights
The Brazilian fruit assortment includes many native fruit species that are still quite unknown and unexplored
Relative humidity ranged from 33% to 98% and in September 32 mm of rain occurred in the area while in October 89 mm of rain were registered by INPE (2013)
The fruit were transported to the Laboratorio de Ecofisiologia Vegetal of the Universidade Estadual do Ceará (UECE) and peel color evaluated in detail based on Munsells color charts (1994)
Summary
The Brazilian fruit assortment includes many native fruit species that are still quite unknown and unexplored. Of excellent flavor and potential for fresh consumption, these species could be sources of vitamins and antioxidants and, as well, raw material for processing. Myrtle (Eugenia gracillima Kiaersk.) is a Myrtaceae species with a few common names such as murta at the Northeastern region of Brazil or cambuí in the state of Paraná. Myrtle is a native and endemic species widely spread out in the Brazilian territory. The plant is a shrub ranging in height from 1.5 to 5.0 meter. The fruit is a berry, oblong in shape at unripe stages and, when ripe, with a more globular form. Peel color changes from green to red or black during ripening
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