PHYSICAL-CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CHINENE SELECTIONS (Persea schiedeana Nees) IN COFFEE PLANTATIONS OF CENTRAL VERACRUZ

Abstract

In coffee plantations from the state of Veracruz, México, chinene strains (Persea schiedeana Ness) with contrasting
phenotypic characteristics have been found. To understand if this variability exists also at pulp level, and whether
chinene pulp differs significantly from what has been reported for avocado (Persea americana var. Hass), a physicalchemical
characterization was carried out in eight materials (CRUO, IXPE, DURA, PETR, TLAL, EM22, EM33 and UBDO),
previously selected for the desirable characteristics of their fruits. The contents of moisture, ash, fat, protein, crude fiber, carbohydrates and calories in the pulp allowed understanding the interrelations between selections and their similarity with avocado. Through cluster analysis, the eight selections
were separated into three heterogeneous groups. The pulp of the eight selections did not present significant differences (P>0.05) in the contents of ash, protein, raw fiber and carbohydrates; but it did in the contents of moisture, fat and calories (Kcal / 100 g of pulp). The content of ash and raw fiber in the eight selections was lower than that reported for avocado var. Hass. In the rest of the parameters evaluated, the contents reported for avocado were within the range of those found in the selections studied. Therefore, it can be said that chinene has potential as an alternative product to avocado, with high
possibilities of selection and improvement, given the variability in the physical-chemical characteristics of its pulp.