The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics, enzymatic activities and primary metabolites in two physiological stages of lucuma. Fruits were harvested in the physiological stages known as inmature (IM) and physiological maturity (PM) from the same tree, four different trees were chosen for sampling. The results related to physicochemical characteristics show that the content of dry matter, soluble solids, soluble fiber, starch and the yellow tone of skin and pulp are lower in IM than in PM stage. Whereas the opposite occurs with the titratable acidity, soluble fiber and pectin contents which are higher in IM stage. Regarding primary metabolites, glucose, myo-inositol, quinic, succinic, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids are present in higher ammounts in IM stage while L-ascorbic acid content is higher in PM stage. Polygalacturonase activity was the...

Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina. Facultad de Industrias Alimentarias. Departamento Académico de Ingeniería de Alimentos y Productos Agropecuarios