Changes in Carbohydrates, Organic Acids, and Minerals at Different Development Stages of Hexachlamys edulis Fruit, a Wild South American Species with Horticultural Potential

ARENA, MIRIAM ELISABET; POVILONIS, IGNACIO SEBASTIÁN; BORRONI, VIRGINIA; PÉREZ, ETHEL; PELLEGRINO, NÉSTOR; CACCIATORE, CLAUDIO; RADICE, SILVIA

Horticulturae

MD​PI

Lugar: Basel; Año: 2023 vol. 9

The aim of this work was to study the patterns of the accumulation of carbohydrates, organicacids, and minerals at different development stages of Hexachlamys edulis fruit for its evaluationas a source of health-promoting compounds, which is necessary in order to be included in theArgentine Food Code. Additionally, the obtained results will allow for deciding the optimal timefor consumption to receive a better flavour and a good contribution of the nutrients evaluated. Thesuccinic acid concentration (the major organic acid) was high in unripe fruit (112.33 mg/g of the dryweight), then decreased to a minimum in medium ripe and ripe fruit (92.48 to 99.43 mg/g of thedry weight,), to increase again in overripe fruit (115.65 mg/g of the dry weight,). Sucrose increasedsignificantly from 21.20 mg/g of the dry weight in unripe fruit to a maximum of 82.53 mg/g of thedry weight in ripe fruit. Glucose increased significantly from 95.59 mg/g of the dry weight in unripefruit to a maximum of 163.13 mg/g of the dry weight in overripe fruit. Fructose followed the samebehaviour, increasing significantly from 150.08 mg/g of the dry weight in unripe fruit to a maximumof 205.85 mg/g of the dry weight in overripe fruit. The starch concentration was at the maximum inunripe and medium ripe fruit (171.39 and 161.19 mg starch/g of the dry weight, respectively), to then decrease in ripe and overripe fruit (40.45 and 65.96 mg starch/mg of the dry weight, respectively). Maximum insoluble dietary fibre values were attained in unripe and medium ripe fruit (26.71 and 27.13 mg/100 g of the dry weight, respectively), to then decrease in ripe and overripe fruit (15.81 and 15.51 mg/100 g of the dry weight, respectively). Soluble dietary fibre oscillated between 9.03 and 11.26 mg/100 g of the dry weight during the development stages, although without significant differences. The mineral concentrations (Mg, K, Mn, and total cations) did not vary significantly during the different development stages. The obtained results allow us to consider H. edulis fruit as a promising natural source of sugars, organic acids, and minerals.