Pineapple composition and nutrition

Pineapple (Ananas comosus L. Merr.) is one of the most economically important tropical fruit crops in tropical and subtropical areas. The variety 'Smooth Cayenne' is the most widely grown cultivar in the world, but now, this variety is progressively substituted by the commercially highly successful 'MD2' sweet hybrid variety. Pineapple is greatly appreciated by the consumer due to its pleasant and sweet taste, flavor and its juicy and fleshy pulp, in addition to its nutritional and health-promoting properties. Pineapples are an important source of sugars, organic acids (citric acid), essential minerals (Cu, Mg, Mn, K), fiber and vitamins (A, C, B-group) for human nutrition. Sensorial characteristics and chemical composition of pineapples (sugars, organic acids, minerals, fiber, vitamins, amino acids, aromatic compounds, etc.) depends greatly on the variety and the geographical and climatological plant growing conditions.