CARACTERIZAÇÃO DE FRUTOS DE Cucumis metuliferus NA SERRA DA CANTAREIRA, SÃO PAULO

The Kino or Kiwano (Cucumis metuliferus E. Mey) is a native cucurbitacea of the African continent, with similar climatic characteristics to the Brazilians, is an alternative to participate of the Brazilian market. The present work was built with the objective to determine the characteristics of the fruits in the climatic conditions of the Cantareira region, Sao Paulo. The following items had been evaluated: pH, total titrable acidity (TTA), total soluble solid (TSS), index of maturation of the fruit, income of the pulp, beyond weight and size of fruit. The main were pH around 4,13; TTA arounf 0,85% of citric acid; TSS of 3,03°Brix; an index of maturation of 3,76; 48,98% average pulp income; weight 328,98 gr.; longitudinal size 70,97 mm and 114,54 transversal line mm and income, values these superiors to the found ones in literature. We concluded with the present work that, the plant presents good adaptation in the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Cantareira region, Sao Paulo; the fruit of kiwano, presents similar characteristics to the producing regions; and other evaluations must be carried through for the determination of productivity and phenology of the species.