Profile Physical and Phenolic-Chemical of Kumquat Influenced by the Environment Analyzed in Fresh

Fortunella margarita is an excellent source of acids, sugars and phenolic compounds, the cultivation of which has become popular in Jordan in the last few years. The aim was to observe the quality of the kumquat fruits cultivated in Irbid and the Ghor Valley. Physical properties such as size, density, sphericity, porosity and color were measured. Total titrable acidity (TTA), total soluble solids (TSS), Ascorbic Acid (AA), pH and phenolic compounds were evaluated in the pulp-rind extract. Total phenols (TPC), flavonoids and carotenoids were measured by spectrophotometry at 765, 430 and 470–664 nm, respectively. High porosity (67%), fruit size (37.4 mm) and juice yield (25.5%) were achieved in the Ghor kumquat crop. The high levels of TPC (2039.2 mg GAE/100 g), AA (0.361 mg/ml) and carotenoids (1.15 mg/100 g) registered in this same crop, attribute it better functional and medicinal properties. Moreover, the Ghor cultivation presented better taste, associated with high values of pH (3.47), TSS (5%) and low levels of TTA (1.55%). The high concentration of total carotenoids recorded in the Ghor’s kumquat was associated with the intense and bright orange color of its rind, related with high values of the color coordinates + a, + b and L of the CIELab system. The great porosity of its rind, makes the kumquat a suitable fruit for impregnating with salt or sugar solutions as well as developing new kumquat products with better flavor and nutritional value. The ranges found in the properties of kumquat crops, are attributed to the different temperatures of Ghor and Irbid.