Changes in physicochemical properties at different development stages of Hexachlamys edulis fruit, an underutilized South American species

ARENA, M.; POVILONIS, I; BORRONI, MV; CONSTENLA, D.; RADICE, S.

HELIYON

Elsevier B.V.

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2021 vol. 7 p. 8323 - 8333

2405-8440

The aim of this work was to study the evolution of fruit size and weight together with the soluble solid and total titratable acidity contents during development of Hexachlamys edulis fruit. Also, the patterns of accumulation of chlorophylls, carotenoids, phenols and antioxidant activity were analysed to define the optimal time for harvesting to obtain maximum nutraceutical characteristics. Fruits were harvested from H. edulis plants growing at the experimental field of the University of Morón (Moreno, Buenos Aires, 34°35′4.98″ SL, 58°48′52.09″ WL, 14 m.a.s.l.). Fresh fruit weight was significantly higher in Medium ripe, Ripe and Overripe fruits (40.1, 39.6 and 38.5 g, respectively) than in Unripe fruits (19.5 g). Soluble solids/total titratable acidity was significantly higher in Overripe fruits (7.3) than in Unripe, Medium ripe and Ripe fruits (3.7?4.5). Total polyphenols were maximum in Unripe fruits (905.8 mg tannic acid/100 g fresh fruit weight) decreasing during the fruit development