Post-harvest quality assessment of Tanguá orange with a view to proving uniqueness for the indication of the geographical indication
Designation of origin, Citrus, post-harvest quality, TanguáThe orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) is a citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family, originated from Asia, where it was introduced in Brazil by the Portuguese at the time of colonization. Currently, the country is the world's leading producer of citrus and the largest exporter of concentrated orange juice. The municipality of Tanguá has more than 800 orange plantations, most of which are family farming, with an average of one million orange trees planted, the main cultivars being Seleta and Natal Folha Murcha, standing out as one of the main regions producers. The oranges from some regions such as Tanguá, have different characteristics, among them are the soluble solids, measured in °°Brix degree, resulting from the combination of soil characteristics, climate, relief, giving differentiated flavor. In view of this differential, the Tanguá region, in partnership with Emater-Rio, the City Hall, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), Embrapa Solos and Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos, requested the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) the seal of Geographical Indication (IG). The present work aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical characteristics to prove uniqueness to obtain the geographical indication. The evaluated Seleta and Natal Folha Murcha oranges presented significant values (p<0.05) for the physical parameters of the fruit size, as well as the fruit mass, where average values of 310.50 g were found for Seleta and 220.42 g in Natal Folha Murcha and a higher juice yield (%) for Natal Folha Murcha orange (54.55), however in the juice volume parameter there was no significant difference (p>0.05) between cultivars. In the physicochemical parameters, the pH obtained significant values among the cultivars, where Seleta had a pH of 4.25 and Natal Folha Murcha had 3.66. In the parameter of soluble solids, there was no significant difference, but both are with values above the recommended. Regarding the total titratable acidity, there was a significant difference, as well as in the RATIO parameter. There was no significant difference between the instrumental color attribute of the evaluated oranges. The evaluated oranges presented attributes considered positive and differentiated as sweetness power, characteristics that are favorable for the request of the GI seal.