Avaliação da qualidade de frutos e água de coco de diferentes cultivares

Coconut is a fruit of great economic importance. Coconut water is used as a natural rehydrator, energy drink and helps in the treatment of various health problems. However, its quality may change during the development of the fruit. The objective was to evaluate the quality of fruits and coconut water of four cultivars. Coconuts from the cultivars Ana Amarela (AA), Ana Vermelho (AVE), Ana Verde (AVO) and Coco Hibrido (CH) were harvested, sanitized and drilled for water extraction. The transverse and longitudinal diameters and the water volume of the fruits were quantified. The contents of total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, pH, ratio, minerals (calcium, manganese, zinc, iron and copper) and electrical conductivity of the water were evaluated. The physical characteristics of the coconuts and the physico-chemical characteristics of the water were similar due to the standardization in cultivation and harvesting. The quality of coconuts in cultivars AA, AVE, AVO and CH did not vary significantly at seven months of age.