Physiological maturity and wound-based orchard practices influence the antioxidant content and metabolic activity of two species of açai fruit at harvest and during storage

Abstract

Pre-harvest treatments like wound-based orchard management practices and early harvest were applied to açai plants (Euterpe oleracea Mart., Euterpe precatoria Mart.) to yield higher levels of antioxidants. Orchard practices like 50% shoot suppression and 50% cluster thinning when applied 87 d before harvest (187 days DAA) were similar to control fruits at harvest and during storage (20 °C). However, lesions in the stipe applied 187 DAA altered the acid, carbohydrate, phenolic content and the ethylene biosynthesis compared to control fruits, showing enhanced fruit antioxidant activity. Early harvest of fruit including 120 and 150 DAA, showed higher acid, lower sugars, higher phenolic content and higher ethylene biosynthesis and respiration rate compared to control fruits, showing the highest levels of fruit antioxidant activity. The selected strategies studied may achieve higher yields of phenolic antioxdants from açai fruit and target high value health markets including functional foods and dietary supplements.