DETERMINATION OF THE MATURATION STAGE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF THE FRUITS OF TWO POPULATIONS OF Passiflora cincinnata Mast

Abstract

<jats:p>ABSTRACT Passiflora cincinnata Mast. (caatinga passion fruit) has acidic fruits with a peculiar flavor, green color when ripe and a low percentage of abscission making it difficult to identify the point of harvest. In order to verify the harvest period in two populations of P.cincinnata, flowers were marked in anthesis and after six periods the fruits were harvested. This study evaluated fruit mass, seeds and pulp mass, fruit dimensions and shape, percentage of water, color and texture of skin, volume, color and pulp yield, pH, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity ratio, polyphenol content, flavonoids and anthocyanins. The assay was designed in a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement (2x6), with two populations (CPEF2220 and CBAF2334) and six harvest periods (20, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 days after anthesis - DAA) with four repetitions. There was a reduction in thickness (43.1%) and percentage of water in the skin (9.3%), pH (40.1%), ratio, polyphenols content and pulp luminosity (brightness). There were increases in pulp mass and volume, seed mass, pulp mass yield in relation to the fruit (72%), and SS titratable acidity (44.9%) in CPEF2220 and equality between populations in fruit shape, pulp color, thickness and skin color (luminosity and ºhue), pH and polyphenols. Although after 100 DAA there were higher yields, between 60 and 80 DAA it was possible to identify characteristics of SS, pH, titratable acidity, mass, volume and pulp yield related to ripe fruits, allowing harvesting after 60 DAA.</jats:p>