Physicochemical characterization of fruits from genotypes of acerola tree (Malpighia emarginata DC)

In Brazil, acerola tree commercial orchards yield fruits with different quality attributes since their propagation is by seeds. The physicochemical characteristics of 18 genotypes of acerola tree (Malpighia emarginata DC.) from the Active Bank of Germoplasm of UFRPE were evaluated. The pulp efficiency ranged from 41.06 (PL 40) to 72.54% (PL 43). Except for the genotype PL 37, all others showed ascorbic acid content higher than 1,000 mg.100 g(-1). The genotype PL 39 showed the highest content of ascorbic acid (1,667 mg.100 g(-1)), TSS and flavonols (15.04 mg.100 g(-1)) and a high value for anthocyanins. Therefore, it can be said it is the promising genotype. The fruits from genotype PL 34 showed the highest value for the TSS/TTA; they were the sweetest.