Physical–chemical changes in early dwarf cashew pseudofruits during development and maturation

Cashews (nut+apple) were harvested in July 1997 from clones of early dwarf cashew trees installed under irrigation at MAISAʹs (Mossorَ Agroindustrial S.A.) property, in Mossorَ-Rio Grande do Norte state, Brazil, and sorted according to the apple size and skin colour, into seven development and maturity stages. The following characteristics were analysed in the apples: weight, length, upper and lower diameters, pulp firmness, pH, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS/TA ratio, vitamin C, tannins, total carotenoids, total chlorophyll, total pectin, total calcium, anthocyanins, starch, soluble calcium and reducing sugars. Pseudofruits increased significantly in size after the full development of the nuts. The peak of consumption quality, i.e. highest soluble solids, reducing sugars content, and highest SS/TA ratio was reached at the end of stage seven.