Qualidade e compostos bioativos de cultivares de laranjas e tangerinas introduzidas no território da borborema paraibano

Abstract

In the Territory of Borborema Paraibano, citrus cropping is an important agricultural activity focused on family farming, generating regional´s employment, income and development.. Dancy cultivar is predominantly produced in the region to supply the regional market. However, it is necessary to introduce in the region oranges and tangerines cultivars with differentiated quality characteristics, seeking to diversify production, providing competitiveness to meet the standards from more demanding markets for fresh fruit. In this sense, the objective of this work was to evaluate the quality and bioactive compounds of fruits oranges and tangerines cultivars introduced in the Territory of Borborema, state of Paraíba, Brazilian Northeastern, aiming to establish identity standards for valorization for the fresh fruit markets. The experimental design was completely randomized, composed of 7 orange cultivars: Baianinha (Bai); guy-guy (Car); Salustian (Salt); Ruby (Rub); Westin (Wes); Sincorá (Sin) and Lima (Lim) and 5 tangerine cultivars: Clemenules (Cle); Page (Pag); New (Nov); Dancy (Dan) and Piemont (Pie). For the physical evaluations, 30 repetitions were used, consisting of 1 fruit each. For the physicochemical evaluations and the contents of bioactive compounds, 4 repetitions were used, consisting of 12 fruits each. The Westin orange cultivar presented greater fresh mass, diameter and pulp yield, thus indicating a cultivar with potential for the industry. The cultivar Lima orange had higher soluble solids, SS/TA ratio, and pH indicating sweeter and more palatable fruits, which is desirable for fresh consumption. Sincorá orange showed higher fresh weight and length, and a greater contribution of total extractable polyphenols, indicating a cultivar with higher functional potential, which can be beneficial to human health. The Salustiana orange presented higher fresh mass, diameter and higher functional potential due to its higher contents of ascorbic acid. Among the tangerines, Nova cultivar had greater fresh mass, length, diameter, firmness, SS/AT ratio and a greater content of ascorbic acid, providing large, firm and sweet fruits, suitable for both agroindustry and fresh consumption. The Piemonte cultivar showed higher pulp yield, diameter, soluble solids, titratable acidity, total extractable flavonoids and polyphenols contents, thus indicating fruits with higher functional potential.