PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MAMEY SAPOTA FRUITS

The mamey sapota (Pouteria sapota) is original from Mexico and Central America, but it is quite common ill Cuba. North of South America and the West Indies. However. only after its introduction in Florida, mamey has become well-known and Sought especially by Latin Americans. The distinction among varieties can be done based on fruit characteristics, what permits the differentiation of these plants. In this context, the present research was accomplished, verifying the possibility to distinguish, plants from rnarney sapota belonging to the collection of the Active Germoplasm Bank, in the FCAV, Campus of Jaboticabal, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, by physical and chemical characteristics of the fruits. h was evaluated: weight, length, width, Pulp percentage. Soluble solid (SS), titratable acidity (TEA), ascorbic acid (AA), pH and SS/TEA ratio for thirteen plants of mamey sapota. There was a statistical difference between all the mamey sapota plants studied, making possible the selection of promising plants for the implantation of commercial orchards. and distinguishing the plants whose fruits present desirable characteristics for industrial use.