Biometric and physical-chemical analysis of pequis collected in the state of Mato Grosso.

Commonly found in Mato-grossense Cerrado, the pequi tree ( Caryocar brasiliense Camb) produces a fruit called pequi, which is sold and consumed by the population where it is produced, in cream, candies, ice creams or in natura , as a typical regional side dish. It is a highly nutritious fruit and hence necessary to the population. The aim of this study was to proceed with the biometric and physical-chemical analysis of pequis collected in the north of the state of Mato Grosso, to contribute with a database to help identify good genoptypes for commercial and industry usage, to build a germplasm bank. Whole fruits from seven different matrixes of Caryocar brasiliense Camb were randomly collected in Uniao do Sul-MT, seasons 2017 and 2019. The mass, transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, volume and sphericity of fruits and pyrenes have been determined, as well as the number of pyrenes per fruit and pulp mass. The pulp was analyzed for its moisture, pH, total titratable acidity and soluble solids contents. The physical evaluation for fruits and pyrenes show that the observed matrixes had statistically significant differences in all parameters tested, especially on mass, volume and pulp mass. The pequis from matrix 7 have the best results for whole fruit and pyrenes mass, and also for pulp mass and pulp mass/whole fuit ratio. The results for moisture and physical-chemical analysis show that the observed matrixes presented statistically significant differences. The findings are similar to the ones detected in studies with pequis in other regions. Based on the results obtained, the fruits that have been analyzed may be regarded as of interest for business and industry, therefore may be considered to build a germplasm bank.