EMBRAPA CERRADOS
Cerrado Pearl: richer in sulfur, calcium, boron, and manganeseEMBRAPA CERRADOSIn late May, a new variety of wild passion fruit, baptized the ‘Cerrado Pearl’, was launched by the Cerrados branch of the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa) at the branch’s offices in Planaltina, Federal District. It took 20 years of genetic improvement to arrive at this cultivar. During this time, the Pearl’s yield was tripled and its size increased. Specific nutritional properties were favored during the selection process, like the presence of antioxidants. “Although it is from the passion fruit family, the color, flavor, and aroma of the new fruit are quite distinctive,” says researcher Ana Maria Costa, who coordinates the technological development network that looks for ways to use the fruit. While a traditional passion fruit is roughly 10 centimeters in diameter, the Pearl reaches a maximum of 6 centimeters. “It is richer in sulfur, calcium, boron, and manganese as compared to commercial passion fruit,” Costa underscores. “Consuming 100 grams of its pulp – equivalent to two cups when mixed with water – supplies about 34% to 39% of our daily iron requirements.” Because it is wild, the plant is resistant to pests and does very well under organic production practices.
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