Postharvest chemical properties and mineral contents of some fig (Ficus carica L.) cultivars in Tunisia

The chemical characteristics of ten cultivars of fig (Ficus carica L.) fruits were presented in this study. The aim of this research was to determine some important analytical properties (dry matter, water content, pH, citric acid, soluble solids content, fructose, glucose and mineral contents) of Kerkennah islands figs and to reveal the characteristic properties that differ these products from the similar ones. The fig cultivars, namely Baghli, Bither, Dchiche Assal Asfar, Dchiche Assal Ahmar, Jebali, Kahli, Mahdoui, Marchini, Mlouki and Temri that arc widely cultivated in Kerkennah islands region and other areas (Gafsa and Sahel) of Tunisia were involved in this Study. All analytical properties were significantly different (p<0.05) among fig cultivars. Dry matter content of the cultivars Marchini and Temri were considerably higher than that of the other cultivars investigated. Fructose and glucose were the major sugars in all fig cultivars (4.7-8.29 and 5.05-9.62% fresh matter). All fig cultivars were found to be a good source of minerals. All fruits contained high amounts of K (688.88-1047.13 mg/100 g of dry matter) and Ca (167.6 to 411.75 mg/100 g of dry matter). Kerkennah islands fig fruit contains functional food components with high nutritional value.