The physical and chemical characteristics of papaya from 'Solo' group commercialized in 4 establishments located in Brasilia - DF, were analyzed from September 1997 to August 1998. From each establishment 15 fruits were collected monthly to determine fruit quality. Fruits originated from hermaphrodite plants accounted for 88% of the total. The average fruit weight varied from 372.2 to 537.1 being higher in June. The average size and diameter oscillated from 12.4 to 14.5cm and 7.6 to 8.7cm, respectively. The maturation degree of most collected papaya was not in the consumption stage. The firmness of the fruit pulp ranged from 0.56 to 1.04 kg/cm² being below the suitable firmness for commercialization. The average ºBrix varied from 9.9 to 12.5 being higher in August. The pH value oscillated from 5.20 to 5.71 being higher in August and September. The titratable acidity (TA), expressed as citric acid, varied from 0.04 to 0.16% and ºBrix -TA ratio from 74.7 and 275.7.
Papaya; quality; commercialization
