Physiochemical Changes during Growth and Developmen t of Pineapple ( Ananas comosus L. Merr. cv. Sarawak)

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