FRUIT SIZE AND SOLUBLE SOLID CONTENT IN 'CABEZONA' PINEAPPLE AS AFFECTED BY APPLICATIONS OF AN EXTRACT OF THE MARINE PLANT Ascophyllum nodosum AND A SURFACTANT

摘要

Among the pineapple varieties grown commercially in Puerto Rico, 'Cabezona' (meaning 'Big Headed' in Spanish) produces the largest fruits (nearly 5 Kg). Fruit size and weight, crown size, and concentration of soluble solids (Brix) are the main qualityattributes of pineapple fruits. The local market prefers large fruits with sweet juice. Commercially available extracts of the marine plant Ascophyllum nodosum have been shown to increase fruit size and weight in Puerto Rico (Morales-Payan et al., 2008aand 2008b). However, the effect of Ascophyllum nodosum extracts on other pineapple quality variables is unknown. The objective of this research was to assess the effects of a commercially available extract of Ascophyllum nodosum on the fruit size and weight, crown size, and soluble solids content of 'Cabezona' pineapple.