Physico-Chemical Changes during Growth and Development of Three Plum Varieties

In order to determine the physico-chemical changes during growth and development of three plum varieties, three species were analyzed (Stanley, Vânăt de Italia and Tuleu Gras) by harvesting the fruits at six different phases of development from the interior and the periphery of the crown. The changes that occurred for the studied samples were the following: the mass increased from 2.29 g to 37.16 g (Stanley 3.90 g / fruit →30.96 g / fruit, Vânăt de Italia variety 4.42 g / fruit →35.11 g / fruit, Tuleu Gras variety 2.81 g / fruit → 38.29 g / fruit), the diameter increased from 2.52 cm to 5.2 cm (Stanley 3.15 cm / fruit → 5.17 cm / fruit, Vânăt de Italia 3.00 cm / fruit → 5.20 cm / fruit ,Tuleu Gras 2.63 cm / fruit → 4.99 cm / fruit), the moisture ranged from 73.83-90.01% (Stanley 79.97% - 88.52% , Vânăt de Italia 75.84% - 87.80%, Tuleu Gras 79.85% - 90.02%), the acidity decreased from 0.48% - 0.07% (Stanley 1.27%→ 0.78%, Vânăt de Italia 1.28%→ 0.80%, Tuleu Gras 1.28%→0.75%), pH increased from 2.52 to 5.2 (Stanley 3.14 → 3.74, Vânăt de Italia 2.72 → 3.78, Tuleu Gras 2.97 → 3.94) and the total soluble solide (TSS) ranged from 6.4-23.95˚Brix (Stanley 6.4˚ → 21.3˚ Brix, Vânăt de Italia 7.05˚ → 23.35˚ Brix, Tuleu Gras 8.55˚ → 23.95˚Brix). The obtained results are helpful for the industry and consumers to choose the suitable plum fruits.