THE INFLUENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS ON CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MOMORDICA CHARANTIA FRUITS

• Main Authors: Attila Keseru, Orsolya Borsai, Erzsebet Buta, Dănuț Nicolae Măniuțiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: AcademicPres 2018-07-01
• Series: Agricultura
• Subjects: cultivation technology, bitter gourd, chemical composition
• Online Access: http://journals.usamvcluj.ro/index.php/agricultura/article/view/13051

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is appreciated for the nutritional qualities and biochemical compounds of fruits that are rich in folic acid and vitamin C. In Asia this species is cultivated to heal many diseases of human body. Experiments regarding the influence of technological parameters on chemical composition of Momordica charantia fruits took place at University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca, Romania. Several determination concerning total yield, proteins, fibres, momordicine, charantin and vitamin C were made. The obtained results show that highest total yield was noted in case of variant conducted with two branches and organically fertilized. The content of protein is higher than in the fruits of common cucumber. Vegetable fiber and mineral content are higher compering with other succulent vegetables. The mature leaves bioactive compounds ratio is 2,5:1 for charantin and 2:1 for momordicine. The highest content of vitamin C (197.12 mg/100 dry substances) was detected in the fruits of variants conducted with one branch and organically fertilized. At the same variants the total acidity with superior level (11,6%) was noticed.