The pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a perennial herbaceous plant cultivated as a tropical fruit that belongs to the Bromeliaceae family. Known as pineapple, pineapple, matzatli, American pineapple, American pineapple or tropical pineapple, it is a native species of South America.
It is a short, biannual plant whose short and thick stem reaches just one meter in height. The lanceolate, narrow and rigid leaves are arranged on a basal rosette and have spiny margins.
The flowers are grouped in a compact inflorescence with a rough texture, which gives rise to a succulent infrutescence. Pineapple is a multiple or syncarp fruit with a fragrant aroma and pleasant taste, widely used in gastronomy.
The fruit not only has a pleasant aroma and flavor, but also has therapeutic principles derived from the presence of bromelain. This enzyme of proteolytic action breaks down all the nutrients of the proteins, thus favoring the digestive processes of our organism.
Ananas comosus It is a tropical crop that is most frequently located at 30 ° north and south latitude around the planet. Depending on the growing environment, soil, altitude, temperature and precipitation, the development of the plant and the size of the fruits vary considerably..
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Herbaceous terrestrial, monocarpic and perennial plant, formed by a short rosette-shaped stem from which the leaves emerge. The roots are adventitious and superficial, have a variable extension in relation to the characteristics of the soil and the vegetative period of the plant..
The stem is short, fleshy, reddish in color and in the shape of a mallet, it becomes evident from the third year, regularly reaching 1-1.5 m in height. The base is surrounded by numerous adventitious roots and axillary buds that produce suckers that are used for vegetative reproduction..
The lanceolate, leathery, gray-greenish or reddish leaves emerge from the basal rosette of the stem until they are 80-100 cm long. They are arranged alternately, they are firm, hard and slightly concave with the margins provided with short, sinuous or sharp spines..
A floral scape or globose terminal spike emerges from the stem, formed by multiple purplish trimeric flowers in the axils of the bracts. Each 12-24 mm long flower is supported by a green, yellow or red bract. The top ends in a dense tuft of leaves.
Flowering lasts 30 days and occurs from the bottom up. The flowers are hermaphroditic and self-incompatible, as well as fruiting occurs by parthenocarpy. Pollination is ornithophilia and, thanks to the intervention of hummingbirds, reproduction is carried out mainly vegetatively.
The compound fruit, syncarp or infrutescence is formed by the fusion of the mature ovaries at the base of the sepal, the bracts and the bark of the floral axis. This union gives rise to a yellow, fleshy, slightly fibrous pulp, between sweet and acid, very fragrant, green at the beginning and yellow or red-orange when ripe..
The small oval-shaped seeds are 3-5 mm long by 1-2 mm in diameter, hard and brown in color and are obtained by cross-fertilization. At a commercial level, the differentiation of the vegetative apex into inflorescence is stimulated with the application of specific phytohormones, in this way a uniform harvest is obtained..
A fruit harvested at its optimum point of maturity contains 11-12% carbohydrates, high levels of vitamin C and mineral elements such as iron, potassium, magnesium and iodine. In addition, they contain various secondary metabolites, such as organic citric and malic acids that give it its characteristic acid taste..
It contains the proteolytic enzyme bromelain or bromelain, capable of digesting the proteins in food, releasing the amino acids that compose them. In the digestive system, bromelain, like pepsin (an enzyme that is part of gastric juice), favors the digestion of proteins.
It is an infrutescence rich in monosaccharides and disaccharides, vitamins and organic acids and its coloration is due to the presence of carotenoids. The aroma is originated by certain oxygenated aliphatic compounds. In this case, the ethyl butyrate ester or butyric ether gives it its particular aroma..
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Liliopsida
- Subclass: Commelinidae
- Order: Poales
- Family: Bromeliaceae
- Gender: Pineapple
- Species: Ananas comosus (L.) Merr., 1917.
- Pineapple: the name of the genus comes from the term "nanas" which in the Guarani language means "perfume".
- asus: the specific adjective derives from the Latin word "cosmosus" which means "hairy or full of hair". Alluding to the tuft of leaves on the fruit.
- Pineapple: common name of the species in reference to the similarity of its fruit with the cone of conifers.
- Ananás: common name derived from the word "naná" which in the Guaraní language means "perfume of perfumes". In reference to the characteristic aroma of the fruit.
- Bromeliad ananas L. (1753)
- Comosa bromeliad L. (1754)
- B. ananas Willd. (1799)
- Ananas sativa Lindl. (1827)
- Ananassa sativa Lindl. (1837)
- A. sativus Schult. & Schult. F. (1830)
- A. ananas (L.) Voss (1895)
- Pineapple Ker Gawl. (1896)
- Ananas bracteatus var. hondurensis Bertoni (1919)
- A. parguazensis L. A. Camargo & L. B. Sm (1968)
- Cayenne Group: constitutes the most important line for the consumption of fresh fruit and excellent qualities for the industry. Cylindrical fruits with shallow eyes and small heart, leaves with spines only at the tip, average weight of 2.5 kg.
- Red Spanish group: exclusively marketed under the form of fresh fruit, excellent production of suckers. Conical or oval fruits, long and spiny leaves, some with a reddish edge, yellow pulp, average weight 1-2.5 kg.
- Bighead: naturally obtained triploid that produces large fruits and develops numerous basal suckers. Wide and long leaves bordered by sharp thorns, large fruits with an average weight of more than 10 kg and pale yellow pulp.
- White pineapple: an erect growing crop with long leaves, bordered by short thorns and light green in color. The medium-sized fruits have white pulp with a pleasant aroma and flavor..
The selection of cultivars is carried out in order to improve the yield and adapt the fruit to the requirements of industrial packaging. Most commercially grown cultivars are elongated and cylindrical.
- Brecheche: aromatic fruit devoid of eyes, juicy pulp, low fiber and olive green color.
- Kona Sugarloaf: typical Hawaiian cultivar, characterized by higher fructose content and less acidic taste.
- Red Spanish: fruit with a rounded shape, reddish rind and profusely scented, cultivated mainly for commercialization as preserves.
- Natal Queen: smaller fruits and little juice.
- Pernambuco: fruit of medium size, tender and sweetish flavor.
- Pérola: cultivated in Brazil, plant with spiny leaves, pulp with a soft, juicy texture, exquisite aroma and sweet taste.
- Smooth Cayenne: large fruit, juicy and pleasant sweet and sour taste.
- Victoria: smaller size pineapples, pleasant flavor and aroma, grown on the island of La Reunion.
The species Ananas comosusIt is native to South America, probably from the Cerrado region, specifically the Goiaseño Altiplano between Brazil and Paraguay. The plants that are currently cultivated are the result of a long selection process that began in pre-Columbian times..
There is evidence that, from its place of origin in the La Plata basin, it was carried by the South American natives to Central America, Mexico and the West Indies. By the middle of the 16th century, its cultivation had spread to the Philippines, India, Java, China and Africa, even to Hawaii in the 18th century.
Currently, pineapple has become naturalized throughout Central America and most tropical countries around the world. It is a crop adapted to tropical ecosystems with a warm climate with a temperature above 22 ºC; in cold climates it is grown under a greenhouse.
It grows on any type of soil with a loose and well drained texture; heavy, easily puddled soils tend to cause root rot problems. It prefers acid soils, with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5, with a good amount of nitrogen, potassium and magnesium, less calcium and phosphorus.
It requires a temperature higher than 24º to bear fruit. It is susceptible to frost and floods, as well as temperatures above 30 ºC affect the quality of the fruit. It adapts to water regimes of 1,000-1,500 mm per year at altitude ranges below 800 meters above sea level..
The pulp of the pineapple is the main product used from this plant, due to its high content of vitamin C, dietary fibers and mineral elements. It also contains certain amounts of thiamine (vitamin B1), folic acid (vitamin B9) and pyridoxine (vitamin B6).
On the other hand, they contain the enzyme bromelain with anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it is used in traditional medicine to improve digestion. In addition, bromelain is marketed as a meat tenderizer and raw material for making skin cosmetics.
Fresh consumption of pineapple is indicated in case of low levels of stomach acid or hypochlorhydria. Indeed, pineapple regulates the levels of heartburn, digestion and relieves the heaviness of the stomach.
Bromelain has an antioxidant effect on the body, inhibits the formation of nitrosamines and reduces the development of tumors. In fact, the presence of nitrosamines is associated with stomach cancer..
In addition, clinical investigations have determined that bromelain has anti-inflammatory, antithrombotic, anti-oedematous, and fibrinolytic effects. The common way to consume pineapple is canned with syrup, in this way it keeps the vitamins and minerals intact, but reduces its bromelain content..
Pineapple has a pleasant taste between acid and sweet, it is consumed fresh, in drinks, desserts or jams, even as an ingredient in dishes based on meat, fish or chicken. Native Americans use it to make traditional drinks such as chica and guarapo.
One of the best known drinks is the famous "piña colada" cocktail, prepared with pineapple pulp, coconut cream and rum. In some regions, the fermented pulp is used to prepare a sauce that is used to marinate meats..
From the leaves a fiber with a firm texture is obtained, used in basketry. The fiber that remains after juicing is used as feed for livestock. Young fruits are eaten raw, and various dwarf cultivars can be worked as ornamental plants..
- Energy: 50 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 11.5 g
- Sugars: 8 - 10 g
- Dietary fiber: 1.5 g
- Fat: 0.12 - 0.15 g
- Proteins: 0.5 g
- Water: 86.8 g
- Thiamine (vitamin B1): 0.07 mg
- Riboflavin (vitamin Btwo): 0.02 mg
- Niacin (vitamin B3): 0.3 mg
- Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5): 0.21 mg
- Vitamin B6: 0.09 mg
- Folic acid (vitamin B9): 18 μg
- Retinol (vitamin A): 13 μg
- Vitamin C: 20 mg
- Vitamin E: 0.1 μg
- Calcium: 12 mg
- Phosphorus: 11 mg
- Iron: 0.5 mg
- Magnesium: 14 mg
- Manganese: 0.927 mg
- Potassium: 250mg
- Sodium: 2 mg
- Iodine: 30 mg
- Zinc: 0.15 mg
The vegetative reproduction is carried out through the shoots that arise from the axillary buds between the leaves, on the stem or from the tuft on the fruit. At the level of Ecuador, the plant requires 18-20 months until fruiting, as it moves away the time lengthens.
The plantation can be established throughout the year as long as the humidity of the substrate is guaranteed to achieve rooting. It is recommended to develop planting beds, especially in areas of high rainfall, their dimensions depend on the topography of the land and the availability of machinery.
The sowing is done in double or single rows, on a humid soil that favors good rooting, growth and development of the plant. The shoots are introduced into the planting hole 6-8 cm deep and carefully pressed until the bud is firm.
This crop supports long periods of drought, since it has the ability to accumulate and take advantage of water. However, during the first months of growth, flowering and fruiting it requires a good supply of water..
Generally, two harvests a year can be made, the first at 15-24 months, the second from the lateral shoots after 15-18 months. The harvest is carried out manually, turning the fruit until the peduncle is detached, the crown is left and it is disinfected to prevent rotting..
Pineapple Ananas comosus it can be sown throughout the year, but the best time is during the fall. Commercial plantations are established on flat or slightly undulating land in full sun exposure.
It requires deep, loose soils, a sandy-loam texture and well drained, preferably with a pH ranging between 4.5 and 6.5. Heavy and poorly drained textures cause rotting of the root system, alkaline soils tend to cause chlorosis due to the lack of absorption of the element iron.
Solar radiation influences crop yield, since it acts directly on carbohydrate synthesis and nitrogen absorption. Similarly, the variation in light intensity activates the functionality of malic acid that affects the color of the fruit..
Temperature is a limiting factor for crop development since pineapple crops are susceptible to frost. In addition, the variation in temperature affects the quality of the fruit since the lower the temperature, the higher its acidity..
Optimal growth values range between 27-30 ºC; temperature below 22 ºC accelerates flowering, but reduces the weight of the fruit. Temperature higher than 30 ºC tends to burn the epidermis of the fruit; flower induction is favored by occasional temperature of 15-16 ºC.
Pineapple cultivation requires 1,600 to 3,500 mm of annual rainfall, well distributed throughout the production period. In areas with levels of precipitation lower than those required and a constant deficit, an irrigation system must be available.
Pineapple is a drought-resistant plant since it has the ability to moderate the gas exchange process once it detects a water deficit. Indeed, when the soil dries, it reduces perspiration quickly, thus saving the water in its fabrics..
The plant is susceptible to strong winds, especially if they are dry, since they increase perspiration and cause the plant to dry out..
The most frequent pests are mealy insects and nematodes, the latter affect the root system reducing the development of the plant. In humid and cold environments, certain phytopathogenic fungi cause root rot, affecting plant growth and reducing fruit quality..
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