The comparison of carbohydrate and mineral changes in three cultivars of kiwifruit of Northern Iran during fruit development

According to the result of this study, there was a significant increase in the amount of sugars including rhamnose, glucose and mannose from October for Abbot and Hayward and from August for Allison until harvesting time (late November). During one month of post harvesting time, the fruits showed no significant changes in sugar concentration except for the Hayward that showed a significant increase of glucose and mannose concentration. The concentration of fructose and inulin in Allison and Hayward did not show any significant changes during the investigated months except a decline on August and then remained constant at the first level. The concentration of these sugars in Abbott showed a similar pattern i.e. a reduction in August followed by a significant increase until harvesting time, and then remained at constant level. Soluble solid content (SSC) as an indicator of fruit maturity, in Allison was significantly more than other cultivars in harvesting time, however, this difference was not significant in late December among cultivars. The mineral analysis of the fruits indicated that the concentration of iron and phosphorus of the kiwifruit cultivars were not significantly different but, potassium concentration in Hayward and calcium concentration in Allison were significantly more than other cultivars. Keyword: Kiwifruit development, inulin, manose, minerals, carbohydrates, Hayward