Abstract Banana ‘Prata’ has a significant demand in the Brazilian market, and Minas Gerais is one of the largest banana producers in the country. Scientific studies that evaluate the bananas quality produced in different cultivation regions are still incipient. Thus, this study evaluated the physical, biochemical and sensory attributes of banana ‘Prata’ from south and north of Minas Gerais and Vale do Ribeira (SP). Bananas from south were also cultivated in different production systems, organic and conventional. Data were submitted to multivariate analysis that provided the discrimination of the samples according to the cultivation regions. Bananas from southern presented higher levels of soluble solids and acidity, better taste, higher diameter and overall acceptance, where in the organic bananas were the most preferred by consumers. Fruit from northern stood out in appearance, texture, aroma and color, in addition to greater length. Fruit from Vale do Ribeira had higher levels of total phenolics and antioxidant activity. With these results we can assume that fruit quality is highly related to the specific climatic conditions from each producing region. Bananas from the south of Minas Gerais showed superiority for most of the evaluated traits, reflecting on consumer preference.

ABSTRACT Whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) are a serious threat to tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) yield and production since all varieties are highly susceptible to this insect. The wild tomato Solanum pennellii shows resistance towards whiteflies infestation due the high contents of acylsugars presents in its leaflets, which is not observed in S. lycopersicum. Thus, plants from the F2BC2 population derived from the cross between the cultivar S. lycopersicum ‘Redenção’ and S. pennellii (accession LA-716) were selected for acylsugars levels and evaluated for resistance to whitefly and fumagine, a saprophyte fungus from genus Capnodium (sooty mold) that grows on leaves using whiteflies excretion. Biological behavior of B. tabaci was significantly influenced by the levels of acylsugars on the leaflets of the different genotypes. Solanum pennellii and the genotypes with higher acylsugars contents exhibited the lowest whitefly oviposition preference, number of nymphs, exuviae and adult survival. Also, the percentage of leaf coverage with fumagine was significantly reduced on leaves of the S. pennellii and the genotypes with higher acylsugars. Thus, it confirms that the use of S. pennellii LA-716 enabled the introgression of genes to increase the degrees of resistance in the F2BC2 genotypes. Finally, the results presented suggest that the genotypes RVTA-2010-31-177pl#39, RVTA-2010-31-319pl#214 and RVTA-2010-83-347pl#257 can be used as potential sources of genes for resistance to B. tabaci in tomato breeding programs.

RESUMO Capsicum baccatum é uma das principais espécies de pimenta cultivadas e consumidas na América do Sul. No Brasil, C. baccatum var. pendulum é amplamente cultivada, especialmente a pimenta do tipo “dedo-de-moça”. Para a maioria das culturas hortícolas, incluindo as espécies de Capsicum, a diversidade genética permanece subexplorada para características relacionadasà qualidade dos frutos, uma vez que nos últimos anos os esforços dos programas de melhoramento têm concentrado principalmente no bom desempenho agronômico. Assim, o investimento na avaliação de características como sabor, compostos nutricionais e características de promoção da saúde, como o teor de antioxidantes em variedades tradicionais, é muito importante para apoiar os esforços de melhoramento para a qualidade dos frutos. Assim, o objetivo deste estudo foi acessar as variações nos teores de sólidos solúveis, acidez, capsaicinoides, vitamina C, compostos fenólicos totais e atividade antioxidante (in vitro e in vivo) de cinco acessos de pimentas “dedo-de-moça”. Os resultados indicaram que os acessos UEL111 e UEL112 apresentaram os maiores valores de sólidos solúveis totais (TSS) e relação (TSS/acidez total titulável). Os acessos UEL110 e UEL112 apresentaram maior concentração de vitamina C e conteúdo fenólico total e o acesso UEL113 apresentou maior concentração de capsaicinoides. Ensaios antioxidantes in vitro sugerem UEL114 com maior atividade antioxidante. Ensaios antioxidantes in vivo não identificaram diferenças entre os acessos e provaram o efeito antioxidante dos extratos de pimenta na proteção celular contra o agente de estresse. Estes resultados permitiram identificar acessos que podem ser explorados em programas de melhoramento de pimenta para qualidade de frutos.

ABSTRACT Capsicum baccatum is one of the main chili pepper species grown and consumed in South America. In Brazil, C. baccatum var. pendulum is widely cultivated, especially “dedo-de-moça” type. For most horticultural crops, including Capsicum species their diversity remains under-explored for traits related to fruit quality, since over the past half century breeding efforts have focused mainly on good agronomic performances. The investment in screening traits such as flavor, nutritional compounds and antioxidant content in traditional varieties is very important to support fruit quality breeding efforts. Thus, the objective of this study was accessing the variations into content of soluble solid, acidity, capsaicinoid, vitamin C, total phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity (in vitro and in vivo) of five “dedo-de-moça” peppers accessions. The results evidenced that UEL111 and UEL112 accessions showed highest TSS and ratio. Accessions UEL110 and UEL112 showed highest concentration of vitamin C and total phenolic content and UEL113 accession showed highest concentration of capsaicinoids. In vitro antioxidant assays suggest the UEL114 with highest antioxidant activity. In vivo antioxidant assays have not identified differences among the accessions and proved the antioxidant effect of chili pepper extracts on cell protection against stress agent. The results highlighted accessions that can be exploited in chili pepper breeding programs.