Determination of the harvest time of sugar apples (Annona squamosa L.) in function of carpel interspace

• Autor(a) principal: Moura, Elias Ariel
• Data de Publicação: 2020
• Outros Autores: Chagas, Pollyana Cardoso, Oliveira, Railin Rodrigues, Taveira, Daniel Lucas Lima, Grigio, Maria Luiza, Araújo, Wellington Farias
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Acta Scientiarum. Agronomy (Online)
• Texto Completo: http://www.periodicos.uem.br/ojs/index.php/ActaSciAgron/article/view/48732
• topic: harvest period; physicochemical characteristics; point of maturation; postharvest technology; shelf life.; harvest period; physicochemical characteristics; point of maturation; postharvest technology; shelf life.

Sugar apples have attracted attention in recent years due to their medicinal and nutritional properties. However, the shelf life of sugar apples is one of the most concerning problems owing to their perishability. This work aimed to determine the ideal harvest time for sugar apple fruits in relation to different classes of carpel interspaces. Therefore, fruits were classified into three stages according to the carpel interspace: stage 1 (0.0 - 2.0 mm); stage 2 (2.1 - 3.0 mm); and stage 3 (3.0 - 4.0 mm). After harvesting, the fruits were evaluated daily in the laboratory regarding their physical and physicochemical aspects until they reached the point of consumption (horticultural maturation). The following variables were evaluated: fruit diameter and length (mm); fruit, peel, pulp, and seed masses (g); color index, including the chromatic attributes L* (luminosity), C* (chroma), and h* (hue angle); bark firmness (N); soluble solids (°Brix); titratable acidity (g citric acid 100 g-1 of pulp-1); pulp yield; and ratio SS/TA. Fruits at stage 3 showed larger diameters, less firmness, and better chromaticity means. Fruits at stages 2 and 3 had eight days of postharvest life. However, fruits at stage 2 took longer for 50% of the fruits to be ready for consumption. The results demonstrate that stages 2 and 3 can be determinants for the harvest time of sugar apples.