Use of Chlorella sp. for coating ‘tommy atkins’ mango fruits stored under refrigeration

The number of studies on edible coatings that are used for extending the shelf life of fruits has steadily increased. For this purpose, it is necessary to choose raw materials with characteristics that maintain product quality. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of coatings of Chlorella sp. on the post-harvest conservation of ‘Tommy Atkins’ mango fruits. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design, and spray treatments (T) with 0%, 1%, 2%, 3%, or 4% of Chlorella sp. were applied to the fruits. After the treatments, the fruits were stored for 28 days (21 days at 10 °C and 42% relative humidity and 7 days at 25 °C and 42% relative humidity), and were analyzed on day 28. There was higher pulp firmness in fruits as the concentration of Chlorella sp. was increased, and the concentration of ascorbic acid was comparatively higher (22.17%) in fruits treated with 3% Chlorella sp. The percentage of soluble solids and the soluble solids/titratable acidity ratio were decreased as the coating concentrations were decreased. The use of Chlorella sp. at 1% and 2% allowed fruit maturation without compromising fruit quality attributes during the 28-day storage period

Composição mineral da casca, semente e arilo da Romã durante o desenvolvimento do fruto / Mineral composition of the skin, seed and aril of the Pomegranate during the development of the fruit

A comercialização de romã tem aumentado e despertado o interesse de fruticultores no Brasil, porém, o conhecimento da qualidade e da viabilidade comercial do fruto in natura é incipiente na nossa região. Desta forma, este trabalho teve como objetivo estudar as principais mudanças na composição mineral da romã (cv. Molar) em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento do fruto. Foram selecionadas plantas adultas, vigorosas e sadias para a marcação de flores, em um pomar comercial localizado na Fazenda Águas de Tamanduá, em Sousa-PB. Os frutos foram colhidos e analisados em diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento, aos 60, 70, 80, 90 e 100 dias contabilizados a partida da antese e imediatamente após a colheita foram transportados para o laboratório de Tecnologia Pós-Colheita de Frutos e Hortaliças, da Universidade Federal de Campina Grande, campus de Pombal/PB. Para cada colheita foi utilizada uma amostragem de 20 frutos. Foi avaliada a composição mineral, da casca, arilo e semente. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (p?0,05) e regressão. Houve redução no teor dos minerais analisados no arilo da romã com o avanço da maturação do fruto. Essa tendência também foi registrada nas demais partes do fruto (casca e semente), com exceção do nitrogênio, do potássio e do cálcio presentes na casca. O maior teor dos minerais analisados foi registrado n

Genotype characterization of pomegranate trees grown in Tabuleiro de Russas–CE / Caracterização de genótipos de romãzeira produzidos em Tabuleiro de Russas-CE

The pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is one of the most ancient fruits there is, characterized by its great variability of genotypes that differ between themselves in their physical and biochemical properties. Studying these characteristics allows us to evaluate these genotypes’ variability, as to identify those with features that are fit for use in commercial orchards. In this sense, the purpose hereof was to evaluate the variability in terms of physical-chemical properties of three pomegranate tree genotypes (CV8, CV12, and CVW) grown in the semiarid region to gather more knowledge about these fruits’ potential. The fruits employed were collected from an experimental orchard, located at Tabuleiro de Russas–CE, and transported to the lab, where they were selected, washed, and sanitized. An 18-fruit sampling of each genotype was employed for the characterization thereof as their quality physical-chemical features. The genotypes CV8 and CVW presented greater potential of peel and aril color in comparison with CV12; as for the external and internal appearance, the genotypes met the in natura pomegranate commercialization quality. The juice yield was greater in the genotypes CVW (28.3%) and CV8 (26.9%), which also presented the greatest levels of soluble solids—CVW, 13.2%, and CV8, 12.9%. As for the titratable acidity, all three genotypes presented levels under 1% of citric acid. The ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds were greater in the CV8 and CV12 genotypes. The pomegranate tree genotypes CV8 and CV12, produced in Tabuleiro de Russas–CE, presented the best physical-chemical features that meet the quality standard for the commercialization of in natura fruits.