Caracterização físico-química de diferentes comprimentos de cladódios das palmas Opuntia tuna (L.) Mill. E Nopalea cochenillifera (L.) Salm-Dyck, sob níveis de biofertilizantes.

Abstract

The study on the post-harvest quality of palm cladodes of different species and, with the application of biofertilizing in their cultivation, is little studied. In this sense, the objective was to evaluate the physical and physical-chemical quality of young cladodes of "Mexican Elephant Ear" and "Small" palm produced on levels of biofertilizer. The factorial scheme used was 3x5 with three replications, in a completely randomized design (DIC). The "Mexican Elephant Ear" and "Miúda" palm plants were cultivated with different levels of biofertilizer (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) and harvested with 8-12, 12-16 and 16-20 cm long O (SS / AT), ascorbic acid, phenolic compounds, soluble sugars, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids and respiration of cladodes were evaluated at 40 days after sprouting. In relation to the palm "Mexican Elephant Ear", cladodes in the range of 16-20 cm presented better physical and physico-chemical attributes, being indicated for planting. The cladodes presented characteristics similar to algumas vegetables, presenting levels of antioxidant compounds that are feasible for human consumption, especially those in the range of 16-20 cm. The maximum level of biofertilizer promoted an increase in the contents of soluble solids, phenolic compounds and total sugars. However, it did not influence the pigment content. The 4-8 cm cladodes produced with and without biofertilizer presented higher respiration rates for "Mexican Elephant Ear". Regarding the "Small" palm, the cladodes of 16-20 cm produced with biofertilizer presented increases in the results with respect to the physical characteristics and lower respiratory rates. The cladodes of 8-12 cm presented higher results for physicochemical characteristics and bioactive compounds, being similar to ones vegetables, presenting higher contents for soluble solids, titratable acidity, SS / AT ratio and ascorbic acid, potentiating the palm as a alternative and excellent contribution to the human diet. The level of 20% of biofertilizer promoted an increase in the contents of bioactive compounds of cladodes.