Morphological and physicochemical characterization of custard apple (Annona reticulata L.) fruits in Tepic, Nayarit

In Mexico, custard apple (Annona reticulata L.) fruits are consumed fresh; however, they are not as well- known as soursop (Annona muricata L.), cherimoya (Annona cherimola Mill.), and sugar apple (Annona squamosa L.). This situation is largely due to the limited information available regarding their properties and morphology. In Nayarit, custard apple production occurs in areas without agronomic management. The objective of this research was to evaluate the morphology and physicochemical characteristics of custard apple fruits from four localities in the municipality of Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico: Jicote, Trapichillo, 14 de Marzo, and Tepic. The fruits showed a variety of shapes, including cordiform, irregular, and ovoid forms, along with either smooth or embossed reticulation and areoles of diverse morphologies, such as drop-shaped, rhomboid, pentagonal, or hexagonal. The skin color also varied, ranging from dull green with yellow-orange tones, to dull brown with orange-red or yellow hues, and even dull purple. The fruits from Jicote and Tepic were the largest and heaviest, while those from Jicote and Trapichillo exhibited the greatest firmness. Fruits from Trapichillo had the highest acidity, whereas those from Jicote and 14 de Marzo had the greatest total soluble solids content. Overall, the custard apple fruits from Tepic showed a wide range of morphological and physicochemical traits, suggesting potential economic value for both fresh market consumption and applications in the food industry for nutraceutical product development, as well as in the pharmaceutical sector for the extraction of phytochemical compounds.