RESUMO
The potential of acerola as a natural source of vitamin C is great, as well as its capacity for industrial use. However, this and other characteristics of the fruit can be influenced by factors such as soil type, type of reproduction and pluviometrical index. Thus, the aim of this work was to evaluate the physical and physicochemical characteristics of acerola fruit from six regions in Ceará, harvested during the rainy season, and to compare the results obtained in Caucaia orchard, in the same period, to those obtained in the dry season. Mass, diameters, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), maturation index (MI), pH and vitamin C were evaluated. The data were evaluated in an experimental design totally randomized. All the fruits showed higher weight than the minimum required for the processing industries. The characterization of acerola fruits from different orchards showed differences in several parameters, in particular, the content of vitamin C, soluble solids and acidity. These analyses have great importance to the pharmaceutical (vitamin C) industry and to the industry of food processing (jams and juices).