Changes of the composition in acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) fruit in relation to cultivar, growing region and maturity

BACKGROUND: Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) has been known as a fruit rich in vitamin C. However, changes in composition of constituents in relation to cultivar, growing region and maturity have not been studied. We investigated the composition for five types of acerola fruits: three different cultivars ('BOK', 'Flor Branca' and 'NRA309') growing in Brazil, and one cultivar each in Vietnam ('Vietnam') and in Japan ('Okinawa'). We also investigated the influence of fruit maturity on the compositional profiles. RESULTS: 'BOK' showed the highest vitamin C and malic acid contents whereas 'Vietnam' had the lowest vitamin C content. On the other hand, 'NRA 309' showed the highest level of total polyphenols. In the study of compositional changes during maturation, it was found that at immature stages proanthocyanidin was the major flavonoid, with high vitamin C content, but the levels of these constituents decreased as ripening progressed. At mature stages, anthocyanins appeared to be the major polyphenol in the ripe acerola fruit. CONCLUSION: This study showed that composition of acerola fruit differed significantly according to cultivar, growing region and maturity. The information provided in this study may help consumers to make an appropriate selection of functional food. (C) 2008 Society of Chemical Industry.