PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF STRAWBERRY CULTIVARS

The physical-chemical characteristics of strawberry fruits were evaluated in the following cultivars ‘Aromas’, ‘Camarosa’, ‘Cegnidarem’, ‘Diamante’, ‘Earlibrite’, ‘Festival’, ‘Galexia’, ‘Oso Grande’, ‘Plarionfre’ and ‘Sabrosa’ in the South area of Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Samples of ten fruits were collected monthly during the period from 21st September 2006 to 8th May 2007. The experiment was carried out in randomized blocks with three repetitions and sixteen plants in the parcels. Fruit weight, internal cavity, internal coloration of the fruits, dry matter content, total soluble solids (TSS), total titrable acidity (TTA), pH and TSS/TTA ratio were evaluated. ‘Festival’, ‘Earlibrite’, ‘Oso Grande’ and ‘Sabrosa’ stood out from the others because they were more suitable for the fresh market. Its fruit showed no internal cavity, red medium internal coloration, larger average fruit weight, percentage of dry matter and TSS, lower TTA and more TSS/TTA ratio. Although the ‘Camarosa’ and ‘Diamante’ cultivars have produced fruits with higher average fruit weight they presented fruits with larger internal cavity and Diamante presented fruits with white internal coloration. ‘Aromas’, ‘Cegnidarem’ and ‘Plarionfre’ presented fruits with smaller average fruit weight, smaller percentage of TSS and ratio. In the fruits of ‘Cegnidarem’ internal red staining showed more intensely and the ‘Plarionfre’ had a higher percentage of dry matter. ‘Galexia’ produced fruits without internal cavity and greater percentage of TSS and acidity, however, it showed a less intense color of fruits and intermediate values for the average fruit weight and percentage of dry matter.