Physalis sp., is a genus of plant popularly known as cape gooseberry. The enlarged calyx that surrounds and protects the fruit against herbivores and weather characterizes the genus, which contains over than one hundred species belonging to the Solanaceae family. The bittersweet fruits are widely used in cooking, and can also be processed into jellies, jams and liqueurs, or consumed raw. The fruits present high content of vitamin C and antioxidants, and therefore, contain numerous medicinal properties. This study aimed to evaluate the productivity of cape gooseberry in southern Minas Gerais State, and to observe the aspects of its postharvest. The experiments related to the productivity were installed at the Experimental Farm of EPAMIG, in Maria da Fé, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, while other experiments on postharvest were carried out in the Laboratory of Food Technology of UNIOESTE. To evaluate the productivity, the experiment was settled containing three blocks with four plants, and to evaluate the postharvest behavior, were used three replicates of five fruits, stored in a controlled temperature chamber BOD, without modified atmosphere, for 28 days at 5° C. The evaluations were performed at install time, and then after 7, 14, 21 and 28 days of storage. We assessed longitudinal and transverse diameter (mm), average fruit weight (g) with and without calyx, the total harvest weight (g) and total soluble solids. In the laboratory we assessed weight loss, acidity (TTA), pH, total soluble solids (TSS) and vitamin C content. The fruits produced in Minas Gerais had similar characteristics compared to those produced in traditional areas of cultivation and can easily be stored for a period of 28 days.
Physalis peruviana L.; postharvest fruit; berries; fruit conservation
