ALCANTARA, C. M.; http://lattes.cnpq.br/6617750193514148; ALCANTARA, Charlene Maria de.
Resumo:
The developmental stage of the cladode of the cactus Opuntia stricta (Haw.) Haw
influences the morphological and physiological characteristics of the cactus, mainly in
respiration, which is a postharvest quality characteristic that can influence the
physicochemical attributes of the cactus. The objective was to analyze the
physicochemical quality of cladodes of the cactus Mexican Elephant Ear Opuntia stricta
(Haw.) Haw at five stages of development. The cladodes were collected in the
development stages with sizes (0 to 4; 4 to 8; 8 to 12; 12 to 16; and, 16 to 20 cm), and
selected for the analysis of longitudinal and transversal diameters, format index, fresh
mass, soluble solids, pH, H+
ions, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and respiration.
Longitudinal diameter, fresh mass, H+ ions, titratable acidity and ascorbic acid were
higher in size 20 cladodes, while the SS/AT ratio and respiration were lower. Breathing
was significantly correlated with at least seven of the dose variables studied. Principal
component analysis showed that the first two principal components (longitudinal and
transverse diameter) accumulated almost 76% of the total variance of the
physicochemical parameters in the cladodes. The cladodes of O. stricta showed higher
fresh mass yield and lower respiratory rate, whereas those from early stages a showed
greater palatability than those from the final stages.
