Browsing by Author "Caixeirinho, Dalila da Cruz"
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- Determinação da qualidade do fruto em citrinos de diferentes modos de produçãoPublication . Caixeirinho, Dalila da Cruz; Duarte, AmílcarThe conversion of the agricultural explorations to more sustainable production technologies intends to reduce the impact of the agricultural activities on the environment and improve the hygienic-sanitary quality of the food products. However, in relation to this last aspect, the available scientific information about the food quality differences between different production forms is quite scarce in general and particularly in what respects to the citrus. The investigation work consisted of fruit sampling in orchards with different forms of agriculture and in its subsequent analysis in laboratory, with the objective of determining the possible quality differences among citrus coming from organic farming way and conventional farming. After the analyses it was verified that the medium weight and the dimensions of the fruit were superior in the fruits coming from conventional orchards. In this form of agriculture it was recorded the largest juice percentage, the smallest concentration of acidity, the most intense coloration, the largest tenor of soluble solids and the higher maturation index. By opposite, the smallest thickness of the fruits peel, the largest concentrations of analyzed acids, with exception of the oxalic acid, and the highest concentrations of sugars (fructose, glucose and sucrose) were recorded in the biological agriculture fruits.
- Organic acids concentration in citrus juice from conventional versus organic farmingPublication . Duarte, Amílcar; Caixeirinho, Dalila da Cruz; Miguel, Maria Graça; Sustelo, V.; Nunes, Carla; Fernandes, M. M.; Marreiros, AntónioEvery day consumers make choices about what to eat and ask themselves “Should I be buying organic food?” For producers, is very important to have technical information about the quality of organic products. It can facilitate to demonstrate the quality of organic products, in comparison with conventional ones. The purpose of our work was to compare internal and external characteristics of citrus, produced in organic versus conventional farming. The study was carried out in the south of Portugal. Fruits of different orchards have been harvested and submitted to physical and chemical analyses, as well as to a sensorial test. The analyses showed that the farming system affected fruit quality. Special attention was paid to the concentration of vitamin C, a compound which plays an important role in human health. Fruits from organic farming had a higher level of vitamin C, compared with fruits from conventional production. However, this result was not obtained in all cultivars. The concentration of other organic acids was also evaluated. Results showed clear differences between cultivars and between the two farming systems. In most cases, concentration of organic acids was higher in the citrus fruits from organic farming.
- Vitamin C content of citrus from conventional versus organic farming systemsPublication . Duarte, Amílcar; Caixeirinho, Dalila da Cruz; Miguel, Maria Graça; Sustelo, V.; Nunes, Carla; Mendes, Maria; Marreiros, AntónioFertilization in citrus is a cultural practice with great importance as it affects significantly the quality of fruit. In this work we evaluated the effects of organic versus conventional farming systems on internal and external characteristics of citrus, with particular emphasis on vitamin C content. The study was carried out in different orchards of the Algarve region, in the south of Portugal. Fruits of different orchards were harvested at physiological maturity and submitted to physical and chemical analyses. The results showed that mineral fertilization led to fruits with greater weight and diameter, a thicker peel and a more intense colour. Compared with conventional production, fruits from organic farming had more soluble solids and a lower maturation index. The highest concentrations of vitamin C were recorded in fruits from organic farming, but the response depended on species and cultivar.