Potential of figs from cultivars grown in subtropical regions for canning purposes

Abstract

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of fig (Ficus carica) cultivars grown in subtropical regions on the physicochemical, rheological, and sensorial characteristics of the canned figs. Fresh fruits of the cultivars were analyzed for length, diameter, unit mass, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids/total titratable acidity ratio, and color. Canned figs were evaluated for titratable acidity, pH, color, texture profile, and sensory characteristics. The different physicochemical characteristics of the fresh figs influenced those of the obtained canned fruits. The canned figs from 'Lemon' and 'Pingo de Mel' presented the lowest and highest pH, respectively, whereas those from 'Troiano' showed the highest total titratable acidity. As for color, after processing, the canned figs, in general, presented a more greenish and darker color than the fresh fruits. The canned figs from 'Brunswick' and 'Troiano' had the lowest acceptance, whereas those from 'Bebera Branca' and 'Roxo de Valinhos', the greatest. Less acid and softer canned figs are more widely accepted, which can be obtained from all cultivars, except from Brunswick and Troiano.