Volatile Compounds and Physicochemical Quality of Four Jabuticabas (Plinia sp.).

The jabuticaba is a native Brazilian fruit that has aroused worldwide interest in terms of its nutritional composition and biological activity. However, research on the profile of volatile compounds (VOCs) emitted by these fruits is rare. This study presents the first identification of VOCs from four jabuticaba species. The aim of the study was to characterize the aromatic profile of the following species: 'Sabará' (Plinia jaboticaba), 'Escarlate' (Plinia phitrantha × Plinia cauliflora), 'Otto Andersen' (Plinia cauliflora), and 'Esalq' (Plinia phitrantha). The analysis was performed by headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC-MS). Multivariate analysis techniques applying the partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and heatmap were used to compare the results. Fruit quality parameters were determined in terms of fresh mass (g), skin color, soluble solids, and titratable acidity. A total of 117 VOCs was identified including terpenoids, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, alkanes, ketones, and carboxylic acids, with 36 VOCs common to all four species. Terpenes were the majority for all jabuticabas with smaller contributions from other volatile classes, especially ß-cubebene, ß-elemene, and D-limonene for the 'Otto Andersen' jabuticaba.

Aroma and soluble solid contents of the uvaia-a native Atlantic rainforest fruit-are negatively affected by early harvest.

The uvaia (Eugenia pyriformis Cambess) is a native Atlantic Rainforest Myrtaceae that produces acidic yellow-orange fruit with a peculiar aroma. Its postharvest conservation poses a challenge, due to high perishability. This study investigated the postharvest quality of uvaia fruit during three ripening stages stored at 22ºC. The quality attributes were evaluated: skin color, soluble solids, titratable acidity, flavonoids, carotenoids, phenolic compounds, antioxidant capacity, and volatile compounds at the beginning and end of the fruit's shelf life. Respiration (CO2 ) and C2 H4 production were determined daily. No relationship between ripening stage and respiration was observed, but C2 H4 production increased with ripening stage. Green fruit reached the same skin color, titratable acidity, flavonoids, carotenoids phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity of mature fruit, also displaying increased shelf life. Green fruit also presented lower soluble solids. The volatile compounds that give green fruit characteristic aroma were persistent. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Aroma and soluble solids content are important factors in determining the fruit quality. This work identified how these factors are affected by early uvaia fruit harvesting. Such information assists in determining the uvaia ideal harvesting point, providing better sensory quality, and increasing the fruit acceptance. Early harvesting at different ripening stages, in addition to prolonging the shelf life of the harvested fruit, is also a tool for understanding physiological processes. This study disseminates unpublished knowledge about uvaia, arousing interest in this native fruit and facilitating its commercialization.