PHYSICO-CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS, POLYPHENOLS AND YELLOW FLAVONOIDS IN FRUITS OF COMMERCIAL AND WILD PITAYA SPECIES FROM THE BRAZILIAN SAVANNAS

Although the high commercial potential of pitaya, there are yet few studies of physicochemical characterization of pitaya fruits, especially considering wild species from the Brazilian Savannas. This study was conducted with the objective to analyze the physico-chemical characterization, total polyphenols and yellow flavonoids of fruits of Hylocereus costaricensis, Hylocereus undatus, Selenicereus setaceus and Selenicereus megalanthus pitaya species. For the physico-chemical analyzes the percentage of soluble solids, pH value and total acidity. For the phenolic compounds quantification, total flavonoids and yellow polyphenols extractable were analyzed. Significant differences of chemical characteristics and the amount concentration of phenolic compounds were observed among pitaya species and basal, middle and apical portions of fruit. The species S. megalanthus had higher amounts of soluble solids. This characteristic is more pronounced in the middle part of the fruit of all species. There was significant difference of pH, with values ranging from 4.84 to 5.67. The pitaya fruits are classified as low acid fruits. The acid content ranged from 0.10% to 0.15% of citric acid. H. costaricensis presented higher amount of total polyphenols and yellow flavonoids, differing significantly from the other species.