Caracterização física e físico química de frutos de aceroleira (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) em diferentes estádios de maturação provenientes de acessos meio-irmãos

Abstract

The acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) is a tropical fruit tree with high nutritional value, notable for its vitamin C content. This study aimed to evaluate the physical and physicochemical characteristics of fruits from 15 plants of 7 accessions at two ripening stages (green and ripe), cultivated at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences of the State University of Piauí. Variables such as mass, length, diameter, vitamin C, acidity, pH, soluble solids (SS), SS/TA, and RATIO (Vit C/SS) were analyzed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and UPGMA clustering. For green fruits, plants G10B1A5, G10B1A1, G8B1A3, and G7B1A1 were associated with physical and SS variables, while G5B2A5, G7B1A2, G8B1A2, and G2B1A3 stood out for their high vitamin C content, pH, and RATIO. Among ripe fruits, fruits from plants G10B1A1, G2B1A1, G8B1A3, and G5B2A5 showed greater mass and diameter, while G7B1A2, G8B1A2, and G2B1A3 stood out for vitamin C, RATIO, SS, and acidity. The formation of three distinct groups at both ripening stages allowed for the identification of plants with differentiated potential. The data obtained generally highlighted groups G1 and G2. Group G1 excelled among green fruits, with higher levels of vitamin C, RATIO, and pH. Group G2, on the other hand, stood out among ripe fruits, presenting a better SS/TA ratio and lower acidity, desirable characteristics for both industry and fresh consumption.