Quality and phytochemical content in soursop fruits (Annona muricata L.) from Tecomán, Colima, Mexico

The soursop is a tropical tree that bears slightly acidic, sweet-tasting fruit of exceptional aroma. Currently, there are only three registered cultivars in Mexico, but efforts are underway in the state of Colima to develop new ones that better fulfill market needs. In this study, 72 soursop trees were grafted onto rootstocks from Tecomán, Colima, and their quality and phytochemical content of their fruit were evaluated. The average fruit weight was close to 900 g, while the average content of rind, pulp, seed, and rachis was 15, 80, 2.5, and 2.5%, respectively. Fruit size (polar and equatorial diameters of 12.2 and 11.2 cm, respectively) and the average number of seeds (37) were lower than in trees cultivated in situ. The content of sugars and total soluble solids (TSS) was 12 and 13.1%, respectively, while titratable acidities were relatively high (0.9-1.4%). The concentration of polyphenols and flavonoids was 36.7 and 9.2 mg equivalents of gallic acid (EGA) or quercetin (EQ) 100 g^‑1 fresh weight (fw), respectively. Vitamin C levels had an average of 41.5-98 mg AA 100 g^‑1 fw.