Mudanças nas pectinases, fibras dietéticas e índices físico-químicos relacionados ao sabor de frutos de cubiu durante a maturação

The objective of this study was to evaluate the changes in the activity of pectinases (pectinesterase and polygalacturonase), dietary fiber content (alcohol-insoluble solids, pectin, and total fiber), and physicochemical indices related to the flavor (pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, Brix/acid ratio, and reducing and nonreducing sugars) of cubiu fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) at different stages of ripening (green, turning, ripe, and fully ripe). Alcohol-insoluble solids and pectin were very similar, with the highest levels detected at the green and turning stages, and the lowest levels occurring at the fully ripe stage. The amount of total fiber was consistent at the green, turning, and ripe stages, but declined at the fully ripe stage. These changes correlated with the pectinase activities, the profiles of which resembled those of other species of the Solanaceae family during fruit ripening. However, cubiu fruits were significant sources of dietary fiber at all stages. The reducing sugar content reached the highest level at the turning stage, with glucose as the major sugar. The content of nonreducing sugars, such as sucrose, remained low at all stages. The other physicochemical indices displayed increases during ripening, characterizing cubiu as a very acidic fruit with a small degree of sweetness. © 2015, Eduem - Editora da Universidade Estadual de Maringa. All rights reserved

Physicochemical changes in cubiu fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) at different ripening stages

Cubiu shrubs (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) have drawn the attention of researchers for their biological versatility (preferential heliophilous or facultative ombrophilous shrubs), their capacity to grow in upland or lowland areas, and the good technological quality of their fruits for the food industry. The aim of this study was to verify physicochemical changes in cubiu fruits during maturation. The fruits were harvested from the experimental station of olericulture of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Brazil. The analyses were performed in whole cubiu fruits (peel, pulp, and placenta) at four traditional ripening stages (green, turning, ripe, and fully ripe) for the determination of weight, moisture, total solids, total carotenoids, proteins, lipids, and ash. Cubiu fruits showed large weight variation, with amodal distribution. The ripe stage was critical to maintain moisture, and from that stage on, water loss became evident. The lipids increased steadily over the four ripening stages, maintaining, however, insignificant calorie content. Total carotenoids, proteins, and ash reached the maximum level at the fully ripe stage. With the exception of weight and moisture, all physicochemical changes exhibited the same general behavior, i.e. they increased as the fruits ripened at the four investigated stages

Physicochemical changes in cubiu fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) at different ripening stages Mudanças físico-químicas em frutos de cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) em diferentes estádios de maturação

Cubiu shrubs (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) have drawn the attention of researchers for their biological versatility (preferential heliophilous or facultative ombrophilous shrubs), their capacity to grow in upland or lowland areas, and the good technological quality of their fruits for the food industry. The aim of this study was to verify physicochemical changes in cubiu fruits during maturation. The fruits were harvested from the experimental station of olericulture of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Brazil. The analyses were performed in whole cubiu fruits (peel, pulp, and placenta) at four traditional ripening stages (green, turning, ripe, and fully ripe) for the determination of weight, moisture, total solids, total carotenoids, proteins, lipids, and ash. Cubiu fruits showed large weight variation, with amodal distribution. The ripe stage was critical to maintain moisture, and from that stage on, water loss became evident. The lipids increased steadily over the four ripening stages, maintaining, however, insignificant calorie content. Total carotenoids, proteins, and ash reached the maximum level at the fully ripe stage. With the exception of weight and moisture, all physicochemical changes exhibited the same general behavior, i.e. they increased as the fruits ripened at the four investigated stages.Arbustos de cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) têm atraído a atenção de pesquisadores por sua versatilidade biológica (heliófilos preferenciais ou ombrófilos facultativos), sua capacidade de crescimento em terra firme ou várzea e seus frutos de boa qualidade tecnológica para a indústria alimentícia. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar mudanças físico-químicas em frutos de cubiu durante a maturação. Os frutos foram colhidos na estação experimental de olericultura do Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Brasil. As análises foram realizadas em frutos integrais de cubiu (casca, polpa e placenta) em quatro estádios de maturação tradicionais (verde, de vez, maduro, muito maduro), compondo-se de peso, umidade, sólidos totais, carotenoides totais, proteínas, lipídios e cinza. Os frutos de cubiu apresentaram grande variação de peso, com distribuição amodal. O estádio maduro foi crítico na manutenção da umidade e, a partir desse estádio, a perda de água tornou-se evidente. Os lipídios aumentaram progressivamente ao longo dos quatro estádios, mantendo, todavia, níveis insignificantes em termos calóricos. Os carotenoides totais, as proteínas e as cinzas alcançaram níveis máximos no estádio muito maduro. Com exceção do peso e da umidade, todas as mudanças físico-químicas exibiram o mesmo comportamento geral, i.e., aumentaram conforme os frutos amadureceram nos quatro estádios investigados

Physicochemical changes in cubiu fruits (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) at different ripening stages

Cubiu shrubs (Solanum sessiliflorum Dunal) have drawn the attention of researchers for their biological versatility (preferential heliophilous or facultative ombrophilous shrubs), their capacity to grow in upland or lowland areas, and the good technological quality of their fruits for the food industry. The aim of this study was to verify physicochemical changes in cubiu fruits during maturation. The fruits were harvested from the experimental station of olericulture of the Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazônia (INPA), Brazil. The analyses were performed in whole cubiu fruits (peel, pulp, and placenta) at four traditional ripening stages (green, turning, ripe, and fully ripe) for the determination of weight, moisture, total solids, total carotenoids, proteins, lipids, and ash. Cubiu fruits showed large weight variation, with amodal distribution. The ripe stage was critical to maintain moisture, and from that stage on, water loss became evident. The lipids increased steadily over the four ripening stages, maintaining, however, insignificant calorie content. Total carotenoids, proteins, and ash reached the maximum level at the fully ripe stage. With the exception of weight and moisture, all physicochemical changes exhibited the same general behavior, i.e. they increased as the fruits ripened at the four investigated stages