Dietary and Nutritional Properties of Lingwu Long Jujube at Various Stages of Maturation
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Abstract:
Variation in the dietary and nutrient qualities of Lingwu Long Jujube during four ripening stages (white-green, reddish, over half red, and fully red) was investigated to clarify the nutrient characteristics of the fruit, and to provide a scientific basis for its timely harvest. The results showed that during the ripening of Lingwu Long Jujube, the cyclic adenosine monophosphate content was significantly positively correlated with sucrose content (p < 0.01), glucose content and citric acid were significantly positively correlated (p < 0.01), and quinic acid content was significantly negatively correlated with oxalic acid content (p < 0.05). The sugar to acid ratio in mature (fully red), Lingwu Long Jujube fruits was 104.59, with a relatively high quinic acid content (up to 0.26%), which is an important substance for the flavor of fresh jujube. In addition to large amounts of crude fiber (8.26%) and cyclic nucleotides, mature (fully red) Lingwu Long Jujube fruits also contained potassium at a level as high as 9.90 mg/g, indicating it is a potassium-rich fruit. Lingwu Long Jujube fruits had the best taste at the fully red stage. They had good dietary and nutritional qualities. At the over half red stage, these qualities were similar to those at the fully red stage. Thus, the over half red stage is the optimal harvesting time for the storage of fresh fruits.
