INFLUENCE OF HARVEST SEASON ON THE CHARAC TERISTICS OF PURPLE PASSION-FRUIT (PASSIFLORA-EDULIS SIMS) AND ITS JUICE

The effect of two different harvest seasons (winter and summer) on som e characteristics of passion fruit and juice was studied. Three differ ent harvests were made during the two seasons every 15-20 days. The so luble solids/acid ratio was used as a ripeness index. The weight, diam eter, peel thickness and yield of juice and seeds were determined in t he fruit. Soluble solids, pH, acidity, total and reduced sugars, starc h, pectin and pectinesterase activity were determined in the juice. A sensory evaluation of the quality and intensity of aroma was made. Inf luence of the date of harvest on the technological characteristics of the fruit and juice were observed. Winter fruits showed higher weight, diameter and peel thickness and lower juice yield than those from the summer harvest. The juice from the summer harvest showed a higher con tent of soluble solids, less acidity, and a higher content in starch, pectin and sugars than that of the summer harvest. The sensory evaluat ion showed that the aroma of the juice from the summer harvest was bet ter in intensity and quality than that of the winter fruit.