Malpighia emarginata explained

Malpighia emarginata is a tropical fruit-bearing shrub or small tree in the family Malpighiaceae.

Common names include acerola (from Arabic: الزُّعرُورَة|az-zuʿrūra "azarole"[1]), Guarani cherry, Barbados cherry, West Indian cherry,[2] and wild crepe myrtle.[3] Acerola is native to Paraguay and Brazil in South America, Central America and southern Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic and Haiti, but is now also being grown as far north as Texas and in subtropical areas of Asia, such as India.

Distribution

Malpighia emarginata is originally from Yucatán, and can be found in Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South America as far south as Peru and Colombia,[4] and the southeast region of Brazil, and in the southernmost parts of the contiguous United States (southern Florida and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas).[5] In Florida, it can be grown in protected locations as far north as Cape Canaveral.[6] It is cultivated in the tropics and subtropics throughout the world, including the Canary Islands, Ghana, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Zanzibar, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, India, Java, Hawaii, and Australia.[7]

Production

Brazil

Brazil is the largest producer of acerola worldwide.[8] On, Brazil produces of acerola per year. In order to preserve the genetic variability of acerola, the federal rural University of Pernambuco in Brazil established an "Acerola Active Germplasm Bank" in June 1998.[9]

Growth conditions

Acerola can be propagated by seed, cutting, or other methods. It prefers dry, well-drained, sandy soil and full sun, and cannot endure temperatures lower than . Because of its shallow roots, it has very low tolerance to winds. Furthermore, a sufficient water supply is advantageous for good growth and maximum yields of large fruits. This is especially important during fruiting and flowering.[10] The optimal growth conditions are reached at a mean temperature of and of rainfall annually.[11]

Description

Acerola is an evergreen shrub or small tree with spreading branches on a short trunk. It is usually 2– tall, but sometimes reaches 6m (20feet) in height.[12] The chromosome number is 2n = 40.[13]

Bark

The bark of young branches is green and sparsely covered with curly-haired trichomes, which fall off with age. The greyish to brownish bark is relatively smooth and covered with conspicuous cork pores when young. With age, it is thick and cracked.

Leaves

The leaves are simple, ovate to elliptic-lanceolate in outline, 2- long, 1- wide, with an entire or undulating margin. They are attached oppositely on the stem on short petioles. The leaves have small hairs, which can irritate skin.

Flowers

The flowering of the tree happens from April to November. Flowers are bisexual and 1- in diameter. They have five[14] pale to deep pink or red[15] fringed petals, 10 stamens, and six to 10 glands on the calyx. The three to five flowers per inflorescence are sessile or short-peduncled axillary cymes.[12]

Fruits and seeds

Three years after planting, trees start producing fruits. 3–4 weeks after flowering,[2] a number of bright red drupes 1– in diameter with a mass of 3– mature. The shell of the fruit is smooth and very thin. Its shelf life of 2–3 days at ambient temperature makes it highly perishable. Drupes are in pairs or groups of three, and each contains three triangular seeds. The drupes are juicy and high in vitamin C (3-)[16] and other nutrients. They are divided into three obscure lobes and are usually acidic to subacidic, giving them a sour taste,[17] but may be sweet if grown well.[18]

Cultivation methods

Yield and harvest

Acerola flowers and fruits already in the first year after planting but increases its production in the following years, reaching up to per plant in the sixth year. The fruiting season usually extends from April to November. The fruits should be picked frequently, as they are not stored on the tree. Ripe fruit should be handled carefully to avoid bruising and should be utilized as soon as possible or frozen for later use. Semi-ripe fruit will usually keep for several days in the refrigerator. Pollination by wild insects increases the fruit yield.[19]

Sowing

Plants can be set at any time of the year, but the best time is spring, just before the rainy season. Choose a location with good water drainage and in a sheltered spot.

Pests and diseases

Malpighia emarginata is a host plant for the caterpillars of the white-patched skipper (Chiomara asychis),[20] Florida duskywing (Ephyriades brunneus),[21] and brown-banded skipper (Timochares ruptifasciatus).[22] Larvae of the acerola weevil feed on the fruits, while adults consume young leaves.[23]

Nutritional values

Acerola fruit is 91% water, and 8% carbohydrates, and contains negligible protein and fat (table). The fruit also supplies manganese at 29% DV, while other micronutrients are uniformly low in content (table). In 100g reference amount, acerola fruit provides an exceptional content of vitamin C at some 20 times the Daily Value (DV) (table). Whereas the content of sugar, soluble solids and titratable acids increases, the vitamin C content decreases with the ripening process of the fruit. Therefore, the immature green fruit is harvested for industrial use of the vitamin C.[11] Besides the high vitamin C content, acerola also contains phytonutrients like phenolic acids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids.[24]

Uses

Culinary

The sour fruits of acerola are high in vitamin C,[25] and acerola cherry is used as a food supplement.[26] Acerola fruit may be eaten raw or used as a juice that is mixed with other, usually sweeter fruit juices.[25] The fruits are also made into jams, jellies, concentrates, and liqueurs.[25]

Acerola cherry powder is also used in some commercially produced breads as a bread improver.[27]

Others

Acerola is a popular bonsai subject because of its small leaf and fruit, and fine ramification. It is also grown as an ornamental[28] and for hedges.[7] Because acerola also contains pigments like anthocyanins and carotenoids, it could also be used as a food colorant.[25]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Ferreira, A. B. H.. 27. Novo Dicionário da Língua Portuguesa. second. Rio de Janeiro. Nova Fronteira. 1986.
  2. Book: 10.1159/000069930 . Acerola (Malpighia glabra L., M. Punicifolia L., M. Emarginata D.C.): Agriculture, Production and Nutrition . Plants in Human Health and Nutrition Policy . World Review of Nutrition and Dietetics . 2003 . Johnson . P.D. . 91 . 67–75 . 12747089 . 978-3-8055-7554-6 . .
  3. Web site: Malpighia glabra L. wild crapemyrtle . https://web.archive.org/web/20060517003123/http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAGL6 . dead . May 17, 2006 . PLANTS Database . United States Department of Agriculture . 2009-10-17 .
  4. Aguilera-Arango . Germán Andrés . Aparicio . Jorge Mario Del Toro . Rodriguez . Javier Orlando Orduz . Acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.): Fruta promisoria con posibilidades de cultivo en Colombia. Una revisión . Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC): Promising fruit with cultivation possibilities in Colombia. A review . Avances en Investigación Agropecuaria . 2020 . 24 . 2 . 7–22 . . es .
  5. Web site: Barbados Cherry, Mexican Myrtle, Manzanita, Cerez, Huacacote, Wild Crepe Myrtle, Manyonita, Cerezo de Jamaica, Cerezo de Castillo, Pallo de Gallina, Escobillo, Chia, Arrayncito, Xocat, Xocatatl Malpighia glabra . 2009-12-15 . Benny Simpson's Texas Native Shrubs . Texas A&M University.
  6. Book: Boning, Charles . Florida's Best Fruiting Plants: Native and Exotic Trees, Shrubs, and Vines . Pineapple Press, Inc. . 2006 . Sarasota, Florida . 41.
  7. Book: Hanelt, Peter . [{{GBurl|id=10IMFSavIMsC|p=1127}} Mansfeld's Encyclopedia of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops (Except Ornamentals) ]. Springer . 2001 . 978-3-540-41017-1 . 1127–1128.
  8. Book: 10.1533/9780857092762.27 . Acerola (Malpighia emarginata DC.) . Postharvest Biology and Technology of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits . 2011 . Mohammed . M. . 27–48e . 978-1-84569-734-1 .
  9. Book: Yahia. Elhadi. Postharvest Biology and Technology of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits . 2011 . Elsevier . 978-1-84569-733-4.
  10. Phillips . R. L. . 1994 . Barbados Cherry . University of Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agriculture Sciences, EDIS.
  11. Book: 10.1016/B978-0-12-803138-4.00003-4 . Acerola— Malpighia emarginata . Exotic Fruits . 2018 . Moura . Carlos F.H. . Oliveira . Luciana de S. . De Souza . Kellina O. . Da Franca . Lorena G. . Ribeiro . Laiza B. . De Souza . Pahlevi A. . De Miranda . Maria R.A. . 7–14 . 978-0-12-803138-4 .
  12. Web site: Orwa. C.. Mutua. A.. Kindt. R.. Jamnadass. R.. Simons. A.. Malpighia glabra L. Malpighiaceae. Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0.. World Agroforestry Centre. Kenya. 2009 . 2022-12-01 .
  13. Web site: Tropicos . 2022-11-13 . www.tropicos.org.
  14. Web site: Plants Profile Malpighia glabra L. wild crapemyrtle . Natural Resources Conservation Service . https://web.archive.org/web/20060517003123/http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAGL6 . December 4, 2022. 2006-05-17 .
  15. Book: [{{GBurl|id=HORIzBx17DYC}} Edible: An Illustrated Guide to the World's Food Plants ]. National Geographic . National Geographic Books . 2008 . 978-1-4262-0372-5 . 106.
  16. Vendramini . Ana L. . Trugo . Luiz C. . Chemical composition of acerola fruit (Malpighia punicifolia L.) at three stages of maturity . Food Chemistry . November 2000 . 71 . 2 . 195–198 . 10.1016/s0308-8146(00)00152-7 .
  17. Web site: Malpighia glabra L. wild crapemyrtle . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20060517003123/http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=MAGL6 . May 17, 2006 . 2009-10-17 . PLANTS Database . United States Department of Agriculture.
  18. Book: Nugent . Jeff . [{{GBurl|id=40n-Z_8ihZMC}} Permaculture Plants: A Selection ]. Boniface . Julia . 2004 . Permanent Publications . 1-85623-029-5 . en.
  19. Garibaldi . Lucas A. . Steffan-Dewenter . Ingolf . Winfree . Rachael . Aizen . Marcelo A. . Bommarco . Riccardo . Cunningham . Saul A. . Kremen . Claire . Carvalheiro . Luísa G. . Harder . Lawrence D. . Afik . Ohad . Bartomeus . Ignasi . Benjamin . Faye . Boreux . Virginie . Cariveau . Daniel . Chacoff . Natacha P. . Dudenhöffer . Jan H. . Freitas . Breno M. . Ghazoul . Jaboury . Greenleaf . Sarah . Hipólito . Juliana . Holzschuh . Andrea . Howlett . Brad . Isaacs . Rufus . Javorek . Steven K. . Kennedy . Christina M. . Krewenka . Kristin M. . Krishnan . Smitha . Mandelik . Yael . Mayfield . Margaret M. . Motzke . Iris . Munyuli . Theodore . Nault . Brian A. . Otieno . Mark . Petersen . Jessica . Pisanty . Gideon . Potts . Simon G. . Rader . Romina . Ricketts . Taylor H. . Rundlöf . Maj . Seymour . Colleen L. . Schüepp . Christof . Szentgyörgyi . Hajnalka . Taki . Hisatomo . Tscharntke . Teja . Vergara . Carlos H. . Viana . Blandina F. . Wanger . Thomas C. . Westphal . Catrin . Williams . Neal . Klein . Alexandra M. . Wild Pollinators Enhance Fruit Set of Crops Regardless of Honey Bee Abundance . Science . 29 March 2013 . 339 . 6127 . 1608–1611 . 10.1126/science.1230200 . 23449997 . 2013Sci...339.1608G . 88564525 . free . 11336/6844 . free .
  20. Web site: 2010-06-20 . Species Detail Butterflies and Moths of North America . 2022-11-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100620183655/http://butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1987 . 2010-06-20 .
  21. Web site: 2010-06-20 . Species Detail Butterflies and Moths of North America . 2022-11-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100620165640/http://butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1990 . 2010-06-20 .
  22. Web site: 2010-06-20 . Species Detail Butterflies and Moths of North America . 2022-11-13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100620211655/http://butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1986 . 2010-06-20 .
  23. Book: Peña . Jorge E. . Sharp . Jennifer L. . Wysoki . M. . Tropical Fruit Pests and Pollinators: Biology, Economic Importance, Natural Enemies, and Control . 2002 . CABI . 978-0-85199-976-0 .
  24. Web site: Exotic Fruits Reference Guide von Sueli Rodrigues ISBN 978-0-12-803138-4 Sachbuch online kaufen - Lehmanns.ch . 2022-11-13 . www.lehmanns.ch . de.
  25. Prakash . Anand . Baskaran . Revathy . Acerola, an untapped functional superfruit: a review on latest frontiers . Journal of Food Science and Technology . September 2018 . 55 . 9 . 3373–3384 . 10.1007/s13197-018-3309-5 . 30150795 . 6098779 .
  26. Web site: ACEROLA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews .
  27. Franco . Maria . Belorio . Mayara . Gómez . Manuel . Assessing Acerola Powder as Substitute for Ascorbic Acid as a Bread Improver . Foods . 8 May 2022 . 11 . 9 . 1366 . 10.3390/foods11091366 . free . 35564089 . 9101182 .
  28. Web site: Malpighia glabra . Edward F. . Gillman . Cooperative Extension Services Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences . University of Florida . October 1999 . 2009-12-16 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090424014336/http://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/shrubs/MALGLAA.PDF . April 24, 2009 .

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