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

ABSTRACT. 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.

摘要（ABSTRACT）。番荔枝（Sugar Apple）近年来因其药用与营养特性受到广泛关注。然而，由于其易腐性，番荔枝的货架期是最受关注的问题之一。本研究旨在明确番荔枝果实的最佳采收时期，该时期与心皮间隙的不同分级相关。据此，研究人员根据心皮间隙将果实分为三个等级：等级1（0.0~2.0 mm）、等级2（2.1~3.0 mm）以及等级3（3.0~4.0 mm）。采收后，研究人员在实验室中每日对果实的物理与理化特性进行评估，直至其达到可食用状态（园艺成熟度）。评估指标包括：果实直径与长度（单位：mm）；果实、果皮、果肉及种子质量（单位：g）；色泽指数，包括色度属性L*（亮度）、C*（彩度）及h*（色相角）；果皮硬度（单位：N）；可溶性固形物含量（单位：°Brix）；可滴定酸度（以柠檬酸计，单位：g/100g果肉）；果肉得率；以及固酸比（SS/TA）。结果显示，等级3的果实直径更大、硬度更低，且色度均值更优。等级2与等级3的果实采后货架期均为8天。然而，等级2的果实中50%达到可食用状态所需的时间更长。研究结果表明，等级2与等级3可作为番荔枝采收时期的判定依据。