Physicochemical and Bioactive Compound Evaluation of Acerola Genotypes

Resumo

Acerola genotypes should have good agronomic traits and high quality of fruits. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics and content of bioactive compounds of fruits of three genotypes of acerola (CMF07-60-03, CMF07-OKSE-3 and Okinawa). The skin color of the fruit was determined by evaluating the coordinate L* (lightness) and the variables C* (color intensity) and h* (angle of color/hue). The physicochemical and bioactive compounds characterization included the study of moisture, ash, pH, total sugars, soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio, vitamin C, total carotenoids, total extractable polyphenols, and antioxidant activity through ABTS and DPPH methods. Through ANOVA, no significant difference (p> 0.05) was found among genotypes for most of the physicochemical characteristics evaluated; however, the principal component analysis allowed to differentiate them, especially the hybrid CMF07-OKSE-3, which showed higher contents of moisture, vitamin C, total extractable polyphenols, higher antioxidant activity and ratio, standing out from the others.