The first Russian papaya meeting quality standards was grown in Sochi

The first Russian papaya grown in an experimental greenhouse in Sochi fully complies with the standards of biological value and has a balanced taste, RIA Novosti was told in the Novorossiysk branch of the Federal Center for Assessment of Safety and Quality of Agro-Industrial Products (TSA AIC).

The researchers tested two varieties of papaya - the elongated "Dutch" and the rounded "Thai" - for compliance with the GOST 34271-2017 standard "Fresh papaya fruits. Technical conditions", the samples were grown in an experimental greenhouse at the 100 hectare farm in Sochi. Experts also compared the mineral composition of Sochi papaya with official reference data from other countries.

“The first Russian papaya grown in Sochi greenhouses was examined in the testing laboratory of the Novorossiysk branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution “TsK Agroindustrial Complex”. After analyzing the results obtained, specialists concluded that the grown fruit fully complies with the standards of biological value,” the branch said.

They noted that the research results confirmed the correct texture of Sochi papaya, the juiciness of its pulp, the characteristic aroma, as well as the nutrient profile of the samples.

Director of the Novorossiysk branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Center of Agriculture and Industrial Complex" Liliya Kugusheva noted that papaya is extremely demanding on growing conditions and is sensitive to the composition of the soil, but the results showed that farmers managed to grow a physiologically complete crop with a harmonious mineral balance.

Analysis of the mineral composition, the branch clarified, showed a physiologically balanced content of macroelements and phosphorus. For example, the potassium content of the Dutch and Thai varieties was 2,795 and 2,796 milligrams per kilogram, respectively. As an example, the CSC AIC cites indicators from the reference book of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), where the norm for potassium content in fresh papaya is about 3,000 milligrams per kilogram; according to the European Ciqual database, the norm should reach 2,000 milligrams per kilogram.

The level of magnesium in papaya was up to 233 milligrams per kilogram, phosphorus - 11.5 mg per 100 grams. At the same time, the mass fraction of natural sugars was 6.8% for the “Dutch” variety and 7.1% for the “Thai” variety.

“These indicators prove that the crop successfully ripens in subtropical greenhouses. The balanced taste and dense pulp make the harvest universal: the fruits are suitable both for fresh consumption and for Asian dishes that require heat treatment, where moderate sweetness is valued,” the branch explained.

They noticed that the first year of the experiment in Sochi greenhouses showed better survival rate and a stable biochemical composition of papaya variety "Dutch".

The project is being implemented under the auspices of the ANO "Academy for the Development of Subtropical Agriculture".