PINEAPPLE NUTRITION FACTS AND VARIETIES

EAT PINEAPPLE TO BE HEALTHY

S.ESWARA REDDY 4/21/2011

Pineapple nutrition facts and varieties

Dr.S.ESWARA REDDY
One of the most prized and popular fruits, pineapple or "ananas" has an interesting history to narrate. The ananas plant is actually native to Paraguay in South America. It spread by the local Indians up through South and Central America and to the West Indies. Later, it was brought to Spain when Columbus discovered Americas in 1493, from where; it spread to rest of the world by the sailors (just like tomatoes) who carried it for protection from scurvy wherever they went. Scientifically, it is known as "Ananas comosus" and belongs to the family of Bromeliaceae, of the genus;Ananas.

See the table below for in depth analysis of nutrients: Pineapple (Ananas comosus), Fresh, Nutritive Value per 100 g (Source: USDA National Nutrient data base)

Principle
Energy Carbohydrates Protein Total Fat Cholesterol Dietary Fiber

Nutrient Value
50 Kcal 13.52 g 0.54 g 0.12 g 0 mg 1.40 g 18 g 0.500 mg 0.112 mg 0.018 mg 0.079 mg 58 IU 47.8 mg 0.02 mg 0.07 g 2.5% 10% 1% <1% 0% 4% 4.5% 4% 9% 1.5% 6.5% 2% 80% <1% 0.5%

Percentage of RDA

Vitamins
Folates Niacin Pyridoxine Riboflavin Thiamin Vitamin A Vitamin C Vitamin E Vitamin K

Electrolytes
Sodium Potassium 1 mg 109 mg 13 mg 0.110 mg 0.29 mg 12 mg 0.927 mg 8 mg 0.1 g 0.12 mg 35 g 0% 2.5% 1.3% 12% 3.5% 3% 40% 1% <1% 1% ---

Minerals
Calcium Copper Iron Magnesium Manganese Phosphorus Selenium Zinc

Phyto-nutrients
Carotene- Crypto-xanthin- 0 mcg

Varieties
Smooth Cayenne or Cayenne
Smooth Cayenne is extensively cultivated in Hawaii, Philippines, Australia, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Kenya, Mexico, Cuba and Formosa. It is the most popular canning variety. The flesh is firm, close textured, juicy and with a pale-yellow to yellow colour at maturity. And average acid range lies between 0.5 and 1.0% and total soluble solids (TSS) between 12 0 and 160 Brix.

Kew
It is a late-maturing variety and is the leading commercial variety in India. It is valued particularly for it's canning quality. Fruit weighs 2-3kg, and is oblong in shape, slightly tapering towards the crown. Eyes are broad and shallow making fruits more suitable for canning. The fruit is yellow when fully ripe and flesh is light yellow, almost fibreless, and very juicy with 0.61.2% acid, and its TSS content varies from 12-160 Brix.

Queen
This an old cultivar and is grown mainly in Australia, India and South Africa, where it is cultivated for

table and processing purpose. Fruit weighs 1-1.5 kg. When fully mature, the fruit is golden-yellow and internal flesh is deep golden-yellow. The flesh, although less juicy than Cayenne, is crispy, with a pleasant aroma. Acidity ranges between 0.6 and 0.8% while the TSS is 1516O Brix.

Mauritius
It is grown in some parts of Meghalaya and Kerala in India. Fruits are of medium size and are of 2 types,deep yellow and red skinned. Fruits of yellow variety are oblong, fibrous, and medium sweet comparedto red type. Mauritius is exclusively grown for table purpose; leaves are yellowish green, spinythroughout the margin, crown also is spiny in both the types. It is a mid-season cultivar, ripens in July-August.

Jaldhup and Lakhat

These are two local types, both being named after the places of their maximum production. Thevarieties are cultivated for table as well as processing purpose. Both fall in Queen group of fruits,being smaller than 'Queen'. Jaldhup has its sweetness well blended with acidity. Fruits of Jaldhup havea characteristic alcoholic flavour of their own and can be easily distinguished from other fruits of theQueen group.

Exotic Varieties
USA Eleuthera, Hilo, F-200. South Africa Ceyenne, Natal Queen, V.C. Queen, James Queen, Z.Queen. West Africa G-25, Caynee de Guinea, Bsaronne de Rathschild, Comte de Paris. West Indies Cayenne Gaudeloupe, St. Dominguo Cayeenne, Champaka. Australia Queevstand, Cayenne, Mac Gregor, Alexandra, Common Rough. Taiwan Typhones 1,2,3,4, & 5. Cuba Cayenne de Orienta. Malaysia Sarawak, Nangka, Betek, Masmerah, Selegor Green, Mauritius. Mexico Espanola. Brazil Permambuco, Paulista, Boituva, Amrelo, Perola, Yupi, Randon. Gernmany

Snooth Canneye, Red Spanish, Queen, Victoria