Study to determine the optimum harvest date of Murici (Byrsonima coccolobifolia Kunth.) from quality and functional attributes

• Native fruit of the Amazon region with functional potential and antioxidant activity.
• The specie is still minimally explored for commercial agricultural activity.
• Harvest point through physical, chemical, physicochemical and functional parameters.
• Bio compounds indicated the highest levels in the mature-green fruits.
• The optimal harvest point of murici must be performed between 21 and 28 DAA.

The Malpighiaceae family is one of the most prominent taxa on the American continent, therefore, it has great importance in the Northern region of Brazil by virtue of the range of species native to the savannahs and cultivated areas of the state of Roraima. Among these species, the murici (Byrsonima coccolobifolia Kunth) has yet to be recognized for its sensory and nutritional qualities, and its optimal harvest time is still undetermined. Murici cultivation is restricted to a few commercial producers, the majority of which are extractive. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the optimum harvest date of murici, in six seasons of studies, under the soil and climate conditions of Roraima, based on physical, chemical, physiochemical, functional and biochemical characteristics of the fruit. The harvests were conducted between June and July of 2013 on rural properties in the Northern region of Roraima, and fruit collection was undertaken at 7-day intervals from the time of anthesis. The ORAC and DPPH methods were used to analyze parameters, including pH, total acidity, total soluble solids total and reducing sugars, starch, total and soluble pectin, polygalacturonase (PG) and pectinametilesterase (PME) enzymes, phenolic compounds, vitamin C and antioxidant activity, in addition to respiration activity and physical measurements (diameter and fresh mass). At the end of the study, the climacteric characteristics of the fruit were determined, and significant antioxidant activity due to the presence of phenolic compounds and vitamin C was observed. Based on the analyses, harvest should be undertaken between 21 and 28 days after anthesis (DAA).