Biochemical composition of <I>Sorbus</I> fruits and its change during ripening

Abstract

Biochemical composition of fruits of Sorbus species and cultivars was determined. It was ascertained that the mean content of sugar in fruits in the years of investigation reached 5.5-7.4%, dry solubles - 18.0-24.2%, titrable organic acids – 1.5-3.8%, ascorbic acid – 22.3-98.3 mg%, carotenoids – 4.0-22.2 mg%. The content of investigated compounds changed during fruit ripening which was high for carotenoids, dry solubles and total sugar in the middle of September. However the content of ascorbic acid and titrable organic acids was highest in the middle of August and later decreased. Differences between genotypes were established. Meteorological conditions influenced the amount of the chemical compounds in fruits. Some genotypes distinguished by stability of investigated properties: the same or almost the same amount of sugars in different years of investigation was determinate for “Granatnaya”, dry solubes – for Elite Nr. 10, “Granatnaya”, titrable organic acids – for S. aucuparia SA-26 and S. aucuparia SAG-36, ascorbic acid for S. aucuparia SAG- 36 and “Krasavitsa”, carotenoids – for “ Coral Beuty”. The most valuable Sorbus species and cultivars according to the biochemical composition were selected. Fruits of Elita No 10 had highest sugar content, dry soluble and carotenoids. The highest content of ascorbic acid was found in “Coral Beauty”, S. asserteauiana and S. aucuparia SA-26 fruits.


Key Words: Sorbus; carotenoids; ascorbic acid; sugar, titrable acids; dry solubles


Moor J. Agric. Res. Vol.4(1) 2003:90-93