Physical, chemical and physical-chemical changes in pineapple fruits cv. "smooth cayenne", caused by Fusarium incidence

Abstract

The main problem affecting pineapple crop is the Fusarium moniliforme Sheld var. subglutinans WR & RG. Partially infected fruits become inable to natural consumption, but can be used for industrial purposes. However the fruits can present, besides the physical losses, changes in their physical-chemical and chemical composition. It was observed on a crop with nearly 20% of affected fruits that besides to a decrease of 23% in the fruits weight and of 8% in the useful pulp portion, the disease incidence caused a decrease in the acidity and in the total and reducing sugars contents, an increase in soluble solids acidity ratio and total, oligomeric and polimeric phenolic compounds contents in relation to sound fruits.