PATAXTE (Theobroma bicolor Humb. & Bonpl.): SPECIES UNDERUTILIZED IN MEXICO

Abstract

In Mexico, pataxte (Theobroma bicolor Humb. & Bonpl.) could become raw material for agro-industrial and food uses, among them chocolate; however, the lack of information about varieties, the establishment of plantations, and the crop and post-harvest management have restricted its use. Because of this, different accessions of pataxte were characterized morphologically and biochemically in situ at the level of proceedings from Mexico. Four differentiated ecotypes were identified primarily from characteristics of the fruit, consistency of the skin, roughness and color. The physical-chemical characterization of the grains showed that it is a species with high agroindustrial potential, because of its low moisture levels and high content of carbohydrates, also reflected by the current traditional uses; and, different shapes, colors and flavors stand out in its diversity.