Effect of NPK fertilization on the chemical properties and bioactive compounds of the cabezona pineapple fruit Pineapple quality

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the effect of NPK fertilization on the chemical properties and bioactive compounds of the cabezona pineapple fruit.

Design/methodology/approach: 15 NPK fertilization treatments were evaluated and carried out in the field in a random complete block design with four repetitions per treatment. At the end of the crop cycle, we determined the pH, °Brix and citric acid % of the fruits that were harvested, following the methodology established in NMX-FF-028 and 011. The pH of the juice was measured directly using a potentiometer. Ascorbic acid was measured with a SIGMA-ALDRICH® kit, the total polyphenol contents were determined following the methodology of De la Cruz-Ricardez et al. (2020), while total flavonoid contents were measured following a modified version of the methodology proposed by Hossain et al. (2011).

Results: The mean values for °Brix, citric acid %, and pH were 7.3, 7.1 and 3.4 respectively, without significant differences between treatments. A highly significant difference in the concentration of ascorbic acid was observed between treatments; treatment three had the highest concentration (19.4 mg 100 g^-1 FF). There were no significant differences between the fertilization treatments and the control, regarding total polyphenol content (41.34 mg 100 g^-1 FF) and flavonoids (1.6 mg 100 g^-1 FF) concentrations.

Study limitations/implications: The ripening degree of the pineapple fruit directly influences the chemical properties and the concentration of bioactive compounds.

Findings/conclusions: NPK fertilization had no effect on °Brix and pH. The citric acid percentage and the total polyphenol content increased as the doses of P₂O₅ increased. The ascorbic acid concentration and total flavonoid content are not affected by the NPK fertilization dose.