A Technological Workflow for Ca Enrichment in Rocha Pears: Implication in Quality

In the next 30 years, scarcity of food resources for a growing population will be linked to specific nutritional requirements for keeping public human health. In this framework, target minerals increase in the edible part of plants, through foliar spraying, can minimize the development of some pathologies, but to guarantee consumers acceptance and industry processing, quality must be monitored. In this context, considering that a lack of Ca can promote osteoporosis, this study aimed to develop a workflow for Ca enrichment of Rocha pears and assess its nutrient contents. Rocha pears were submitted to seven foliar sprayings with CaCl₂ and Ca(NO₃)₂ at different concentrations (Calcium nitrate at 0.1, 0.3, 0.6 kg.ha⁻¹; Calcium chloride – 0.4, 0.8, 1.6 kg.ha⁻¹) and the implications on Ca accumulation, as well as some quality parameters upon storage for 3 months with and without a bath in a solution with 1.3% CaCl₂ determined. During fruits growth, Ca accumulation in the shoot was measured at four different periods, and at harvest. It was found that increases of Ca contents in Rocha pears varied between 12.8–21.1%. After 3 months storage, some minor changes occurred in the quality parameters, namely: slight decrease in L parameter and dry weight, but bath with 1.3% CaCl₂ did not reveal negative impacts in the fruits. It was concluded that, under the designed workflow, Ca enrichment of Rocha pears can be achieved, while post-harvest emersion with 1.3% CaCl₂ did not compromise its quality.