The objective of this work was to evaluate the phenological patterns, vegetative growth, and yield characteristics of fig (Ficus carica)varieties in Southeastern Brazil. The 'Roxo de Valinhos', White ...Genova, PI-189, and Troyano varieties were distributed in a randomized complete block design and evaluated in the field. The following characteristics were assessed: number of days between pruning and the beginning of sprouting; leaf chlorophyll content; number of shoots on each branch; length, diameter, and number of internodes on each branch; number of leaves per plant; leaf area; number of fruit per plant; mass, length, and diameter of fruit; production and yield; and duration (days) of each phenological stage, such as thermal requirement models. 'Roxo de Valinhos' and White Genova sprouted the fastest and showed the largest number of shoots. Troyano obtained the greatest branch length and diameter, as well as the greatest number of fruit per plant, which had the shortest diameter and length and the lowest mass of fruit. Furthermore, Troyano showed the latest harvest, besides the thermal requirement of 4,577.31 degree-days. 'Roxo de Valinhos' and White Genova produced fruit with the greatest average mass and diameter and the longest length. Troyano shows better vegetative growth and produces more fruit per plant than 'Roxo de Valinhos', but both genotypes show similar yields.
Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os padrões fenológicos, o crescimento vegetativo e as características de rendimento de variedades de figueira (Ficus carica) no Sudeste brasileiro. As variedades 'Roxo de Valinhos', White Genova, PI-189 e Troyano foram distribuídas em delineamento de blocos ao acaso e avaliadas em campo. As seguintes características foram avaliadas: número de dias entre a poda e o início da brotação; teor de clorofila das folhas; número de brotos por ramo; comprimento, diâmetro e número de entrenós de cada ramo; número de folhas por planta; área foliar; número de frutos por planta; massa, comprimento e diâmetro dos frutos; produção e produtividade; e duração (dias) de cada estágio fenológico, tais como modelos de requerimento térmico. 'Roxo de Valinhos' e White Genova brotaram mais rapidamente e apresentaram maior número de brotações. Troyano obteve os maiores diâmetro e comprimento dos ramos, assim como maior número de frutos por planta, os quais tiveram os menores diâmetro, comprimento e massa. Além disso, Troyano apresentou colheita mais tardia e necessidade térmica de 4.577,31 graus-dia. 'Roxo de Valinhos' e White Genova apresentaram frutos com maior massa, diâmetro e comprimento. Troyano apresenta melhor desenvolvimento vegetativo e produz mais frutos por planta do que 'Roxo de Valinhos', mas os rendimentos de ambos os genótipos são similares.
Fig orchard expansion requires knowledge of the thermal requirements of genotypes available in different climatic regions. The budburst of fig cultivars was assessed by biological single-node cutting ...and exposure to artificial chilling. Cuttings from five cultivars were collected during two crop seasons, subsequently packaged in a horizontal position in a cold chamber (8 ± 0.5ºC), and artificially chilled for 0, 40, 80, 120, and 160h. Cuttings were preserved under controlled conditions (23 ± 1°C, RH 85%, and 16h photoperiod). The variables evaluated were the budding velocity, average time and final rate of sprouting, vigorous shoot rate, and average time to leaf opening. The single-node cutting test allowed the assessment of dormancy, which is influenced by the accumulation of chilling in each crop season. The average time and final budding rate varied depending on the temperature requirements for budding. The cultivars were classified on an increasing scale according to their chilling requirements as follows: Pingo de Mel < Roxo de Valinhos < Brown Turkey < White Genova < Troyano. The traditional cultivar in Brazil is Roxo de Valinhos, but all of the cultivars studied had the potential to diversify the fig orchards in this region.
Fried foods occupy a large portion of the fast-food market. However, growing consumer health awareness is driving research to minimize the oil content of products. The use of specific barriers such ...as hydrocolloid coatings can avoid high oil absorption. Herein, the physicochemical characteristics of banana fruit cultivars and the effects of hydrocolloid coatings on the quality attributes of banana chips were evaluated. The unripe fruits were analyzed for length, diameter, mass, pulp/peel ratio, firmness, and color. The pulps were analyzed for moisture, total and reducing sugars, crude fat, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, and maturation index. Pulp slices were coated before frying with four hydrocolloid solutions: guar gum, carboxymethylcellulose, sodium alginate, and maltodextrin. The fruits of the cultivar BRS Platina were larger, with a more yellowish pulp and those of FHIA 18 had smaller lengths and diameters. After frying, higher moisture losses were observed in the control and in the treatment with maltodextrin. Hydrocolloids promoted reductions in oil absorption from 26.54 to 9.14%, in addition to changes in the color and hardness of the chips. A coating pretreatment can be used to produce low-fat banana chips, with better results using guar gum. Our results are useful in expanding the commercialization of fruits that fall easily and the chip coating technology can be applied in snack industries.
Starch is widely used in the food and non-food industries, and this is related to its physicochemical characteristics. In the coming years, climate changes will become unpredictable, and these ...conditions may affect the process of starch biosynthesis and polymer properties. The sweet potato starch market has grown substantially in recent years and understanding the environmental impacts on starch characteristics will contribute to advances for the sector. Herein, the effects of the growing season on the structural, morphological, and physicochemical properties of sweet potato starches were evaluated. Sweet potato trials with two Brazilian cultivars (Canadense and Uruguaiana) were installed in the dry season (planting in March and harvesting in July) and rainy season (planting in October and harvesting in March). Regardless of the cultivar, starches isolated from plants grown in the rainy season have a more ordered structure, with higher gelatinization temperatures, thermal stability, and resistant starch content. Starches from plants grown in the dry season have a higher percentage of small granules with lower crystallinity and lower gelatinization temperatures. These findings can be useful as early knowledge of these changes can help the supply chain to better plan and target suitable markets for naturally modified sweet potato starches.
Abstract The objective of this work was to evaluate the banana cultivars for their agronomic yield and starch characteristics. The experiment was carried out in a randomized complete block design, ...with a factorial arrangement of two cultivars ('BRS Conquista' and 'BRS Platina') and two crop cycles, with three plants per treatment, and five replicates. Fruit yield and starch quality were evaluated. 'BRS Conquista' showed smaller fruit; however, it had a greater marketable bunch weight and yield than 'BRS Platina'. Starches differed for the main physicochemical characteristics, except for X-ray diffraction pattern (B type) and phosphorus content (0.0058–0.0060%). 'BRS Platina' stood out for its higher content of resistant starch (74.55%) that differed from the starch isolated from 'BRS Conquista'. However, the starch of 'BRS Conquista' showed the following characteristics: larger granules (34.74 µm), with greater crystallinity (33.64%); less swelling power and solubility (26.77 g g-1 and 19.21%, respectively); and greater breakdown, setback and final viscosity (67.06, 182.42, and 341.39 RVU, respectively). 'BRS Conquista' shows favorable production characteristics for processing to obtain starch. The higher resistant starch content of 'BRS Platina' may commercially justify its lower agronomic yield. Starches of the two cultivars show desirable characteristics for different industrial applications.
Resumo O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar cultivares de bananeira quanto aos seus rendimentos agronômicos e características de amido. O experimento foi realizado em blocos ao acaso, com arranjo fatorial de duas cultivares ('BRS Conquista' e 'BRS Platina') e dois ciclos da cultura, com três plantas por tratamento e cinco repetições. Avaliaram-se a produção e a qualidade do amido dos frutos. 'BRS Conquista' apresentou frutos menores; no entanto, mostrou maior massa comercial e produtividade do cacho do que 'BRS Platina'. Os amidos diferiram quanto às principais características físico-químicas, exceto quanto ao padrão de difração de raios X (tipo B) e teor de fósforo (0,0058–0,0060%). 'BRS Platina' destacou-se por seu maior teor de amido resistente (74,55%) que diferiu do amido isolado de 'BRS Conquista'. No entanto, o amido de 'BRS Conquista' apresentou as seguintes características: grânulos maiores (34,74 µm), com maior cristalinidade (33,64%); menor poder de inchamento e solubilidade (26,77 g g-1 e 19,21%, respectivamente); e maiores quebra de viscosidade, tendência à retrogradação e viscosidade final (67,06, 182,42 e 341,39 RVU, respectivamente). 'BRS Conquista' mostra características de produção favoráveis ao processamento para extração de amido. O maior teor de amido resistente de 'BRS Platina' pode justificar comercialmente sua menor produção agronômica. Os amidos das duas cultivares apresentam características desejáveis para aplicações industriais diversas.
Fruit production has increased, which has led to an increase in fruit wastage, opening up new opportunities for the use of non-standard fruits as starch sources. Herein, the physicochemical ...properties of mango starches isolated from the pulp and kernel of four cultivars were investigated. The pulp starches showed higher purity with total starch ranging from 97.84 to 98.09% (dry basis). The kernel starches had a higher percentage of other components (ash, fiber, lipids, protein, sugars). The main mineral in the starches was potassium (0.37 to 1.32 g/kg). Pulp starches were circular and smaller (15–79 to 16.70 µm) and kernel starches were oval and larger (19.75 to 25.33 µm). Differential scanning calorimetry and rapid viscosity studies showed that the kernel starches had higher gelatinization properties. The mango starches were A-type with varying crystallinity levels (28.37–32.35%). PCA analysis showed the greater impact of gelatinization properties on the grouping of cultivars. These findings would be useful for adding commercial value to mango agricultural and industrial waste and for industries in terms of using the starch as an ingredient in food products and other industrial applications.
The limited scion-rootstock combinations used in sweet orange orchards in Brazil reduce the commercial potential of citrus and lead to greater susceptibility to pests and diseases. Aiming to provide ...germplasm diversification, the research evaluated the Folha Murcha (FM) and Charmute de Brotas (CB) orange trees grafted onto ‘Rangpur’ lime (RL) and ‘Swingle’ citrumelo (SC) rootstocks. The study was conducted in the southern center of the state of São Paulo, in the subtropical region of southeastern Brazil. The grafted trees were planted in September 2016. The field experiment was conducted over two seasons. The combinations were evaluated based on the duration in days and degree-days of the phenological intervals, growth and yield performance, alternate bearing, fruit ripening, and quality. The trees of the two scion cultivars grafted onto RL had the shortest crop cycle, the earliest fruit ripening, and the largest canopy volume. SC produced fewer alternate bearings with greater production efficiency. The CB/SC combination produced fruits with a better color index, higher total soluble solids content, and a higher technological index. This assessment can be useful in planning orchards for dual-purpose markets, such as table fruit and the juice industry.
Due to the high perishability of figs, calcium stands out as an important nutrient for orchard management. This study aims to study the pre-harvest applications of calcium chloride in fig orchards. ...The fig trees were sprayed with 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0% CaCl2, and fruits were thereafter stored for 0, 7, 14 and 21 d. The variables analysed were the concentration of calcium in leaves and fruits, weight loss, fruit decay, pectinolytic enzyme activity, and physical and chemical attributes of the fruits; CaCl2 sprays enhanced fruit Ca2+ concentration in leaves (14.03%) and fruits (29.3%) and were effective in reducing polygalacturonase and pectin methylesterase activity, weight loss and fruit decay. Pre-treatment with 1% CaCl2 provided fruits with larger diameters, greater firmness, and higher levels of total phenolic compounds in both fruit peel and pulp. The pre-harvest application at 1% CaCl2 showed to be a promising technique in producing high quality fruits and extended storage by approximately 7 to 10 days. These findings may be useful in planning new cultural practices for fig orchards that produce high-quality fruit with desirable characteristics for growers and consumers.
The growth in demand for gluten-free products linked mainly to health aspects has led to an increased interest in the production of mixed flours for use in bakery products. This work aimed to ...evaluate the use of different mixtures of cassava starch with banana flour, obtained from the pulp and peel of green fruits, for the production of gluten-free biscuits. In the preparation of the biscuits, seven mixtures were prepared with varying percentages of cassava starch, banana pulp flour and banana peel flour. A formulation with wheat flour was used as a control. Wheat flour, cassava starch and banana flours were analyzed for chemical composition. The results showed that the banana peel flour stood out for its higher levels of proteins, fibres, lipids, ash, total phenols, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity which make this flour effective as a functional additive. However, the results of physical and sensory characteristics of the biscuits showed that the variation in the percentage of banana peel flour led to greater changes in the quality attributes of the biscuits, so the percentage of inclusion should be limited. Banana pulp flour (UBF) had high starch content, however, the biscuits produced with higher percentages of this flour and lower percentages of cassava starch showed lower propagation rates, greater hardness and less sensory acceptance, showing the importance of the starchy raw material in the physical properties of biscuits. Formulations containing cassava starch mixed with up to 15% banana flour (1:1, pulp and peel) are a good basis for making gluten-free biscuits.
Aim of study: To address diversification of citrus cultivars to increase the variety and profitability of orchards to adapt them to environmental changes.
Area of study: State of São Paulo, a ...subtropical region of southeastern Brazil.
Material and methods: The study evaluated the phenological intervals, thermal sum, vegetative and productive performance, and fruit quality of the sweet orange cultivars ‘Rubi’ (R), ‘Lue Gin Gong’ (LGG) and ‘Valencia Delta Seedless’ (VDS) grafted onto 'Rangpur' lime (RL) and 'Swingle' citrumelo (SC). The field experiment was conducted over consecutive growing seasons 2018-2021.
Main results: The duration of the phenological intervals was little influenced by the rootstocks. The harvest time was approximately 245 days after anthesis (DAA) for R, 402 DAA for LGG, and 407 DAA for VDS, regardless of rootstock. Scion cultivars grafted onto RL showed larger canopy volumes and greater weight, length, and diameter of fruits than those of SC trees, and the combinations with SC were more productively efficient than RL due to lower canopy volume. The R scion cultivar presented superior yield performance and fruit colouration than LGG and VDS. The physicochemical quality of the fruits showed improved results with the combinations of LGG/RL, LGG/SC, VDS/RL, and VDS/SC.
Research highlights: These results may be useful when planning the diversification of scion/rootstock combinations for new orchards, identifying dual-market orange cultivars for industrial processing and natural consumption, and determining the combinations that are better adapted to undesirable climatic conditions.
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