Annona Species Monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

Chapter 11. Harvest, Postharvest
and Processing
S. R. M. de Andrade, R. E. Alves, H. A. C. Filgueiras and
A. C. de Q. Pinto
11.1 Introduction
Cherimoya has been described as the most delicious of the annonas, and as
the finest dessert fruit in the world, because of its unique flavour (George et
al., 1987). Soursop produces the largest fruit among the annonas, and
presents the highest potential for processing (Nakasone and Paull, 1998). The
pulp flavour of custard apple fruit is inferior to that of cherimoya and
soursop, and, although some trees produce excellent fruits, they are generally
not suitable for commercial cultivation (Salunkhe and Desai, 1984; Bora et
al., 1987; Nakasone and Paull, 1998). Sugar apple is the most widely
distributed of the Annona species, and is sweeter than soursop, with a high
soluble solid content (24° Brix) and a low acidity (0.58%) (Rego et al.,
1979), although the acidity recorded by Singh (1992) is lower still (0.19 -
0.24% depending on cultivar). It is common to find sugar apple in local
markets, although due to the small size of fruit, large number of seeds and
poor shelf life, they are seldom cultivated in large commercial orchards
(Coronel, 1994; Nakasone and Paull, 1998). Wild soursop does not have
commercial value at this time, but could be transformed by careful strategic
planning, resources and especially germplasm selection.
In spite of the potential, the annonas have some limitations, principally
regarding their resistance to transport to distant markets, because they ripen
rapidly after harvest and this limits their shelf life. Attempts to enhance the
post-harvest life of these fruits must take into account ripening physiology,
physical-chemical aspects of fruit quality, and harvest and post-harvest
handling (Alves et al., 1997).
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