Days after anthesis and postharvest behavior define maturity, harvesting time and nutraceutical content of camu-camu fruit

摘要

Days after anthesis (DAA) and postharvest behavior were used as a novel integrative holistic approach to define the physiological and horticultural maturity of fruit and implement appropriate harvesting times for quality and nutraceutical content. Camu-camu fruit used as a model system was sampled between 74 and 116 DAA, studied on their chemical, enzymatic and sensory characteristics when still attached to the plant and during the postharvest life. At 74-81 DAA fruit were physiologically immature, while 88-116 DAA fruit were physiologically mature, with 116 DAA fruit showing overripe behavior. From a horticultural view scenario there is a dual harvesting time for camu camu fruit where 88 DAA fruit shows a maximum peak for bioactive compound accumulation (phenolics, ascorbic acid, AOX) appropriate for the nutraceutical market, while 88-102 DAA fruit reach higher sensory acceptance appropriate for the juice industry and fresh market. The horticultural maturity of camu camu fruit overlaps with its physiological maturity. This holistic approach can be extended to a diverse range of fruit crops.