Abstract:
The physical and physiological characteristics of S
arawak pineapple were studied at
five different stages of growth from one to five mo
nths after anthesis. Changes in fruit
length, diameter, pulp color, pulp firmness, pH, to
tal soluble solids, titratable acidity,
ascorbic acid content and antioxidant activity were
monitored. The Sarawak pineapple
exhibited a sigmoid growth pattern during fruit dev
elopment. The pulp firmness
decreased while the total soluble solids increased
as the fruit developed, thus improving
its edibility and acceptability to the consumers. A
reduction in pH and an increase in
titratable acidity contributed to the distinct flav
or and taste of the Sarawak pineapple.
While ascorbic acid content reduced throughout growt
h and development, the overall
antioxidant activity increased in the fruit suggest
ing a later period of harvesting as the
most appropriate. The changes that occurred extrins
ically as well as intrinsically suggest
that the best time for harvesting the Sarawak pinea
pple is five months after anthesis.
Keywords:
Anthesis, Antioxidant activity, Fruit growth, Harve
sting maturity, Sarawak pineapple
