Pre-harvest factors that influence the quality of passion fruit: A review

Abstract

Colombia is the country with the greatest genetic diversity in passion fruit species, some of which are cultivated on an area of approximately 13,673 ha. Each variety must be planted at a suitable altitude under optimal conditions to obtain the best quality. Regarding plant nutrition, potassium has the greatest influence due to the effect of its application on the yield increase, ascorbic acid content and lifecycle to harvest. Adequate water increases the percentage of the marketable quality and amount of fruit juice, and the use of rootstocks does not significantly change the fruit quality. Ensuring a pollination of the flowers in cultivation is decisive for the fruit formation and its juice content. The species differ greatly in their quality, as purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis f. edulis) is a fruit that develops the highest content of ascorbic acid, while sweet calabash (P. maliformis) forms the maximum amount of phenols and total antioxidant activity. The maturation and ripening of passion fruit is determined by the skin coloration, during which the Brix grades and the maturity index increase and the titratable acidity diminishes. Fruits harvested early in physiological maturity and with unripe peel color can be treated with ethylene in post-harvest, matching fruits that ripened in the plant. More research is needed in the improvement of the quality of the Passifloraceae. Giant granadilla (P. cuadrangularis) and sweet calabash have been studied less than banana passion fruit (P. tripartita var. mollissima), purple passion fruit, yellow passion fruit and sweet granadilla (P. ligularis). The last three species are the most exported fruits in the country.