The rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.) fruit originated from Ásia is commercially growth in the states of Pará and Bahia, Brazil, but due to sexual propagation, it shows great variability to morphological and chemical characteristics of the fruits. In order to select potential matrices, fruits of 105 genotypes of rambutan grown in Ituberá, BA were evaluated, based on fruit size, coloration of epicarp and soluble solids. In this sample, 80 genotypes (76.2%) presented fruits with soluble solids rate 16 ºBrix or above and their fruits were analyzed in laboratory. After the weighing were indentified 20 genotypes which presented fruits with average weight above 30 g and were submitted to physical and chemical analyses. The fruits from these genotypes showed medium weight of 33.2 g (30.2 to 39.4 g); aril percentage of 42.3% (35.1 to 50.2%), soluble solids 17.6 ° (15.8 to 19.7 ºBrix) and acidity 0.44% (0.19 to 0.86%).The evaluated plants showed high phonotypical variability and it was possible to identify 20 genotypes or 19,05% of total of genotypes evaluated which presented characteristics of fruit weight and soluble solids which attended to patterns recommended in other producer countries (fruit weight above 30 g and soluble solids above 16 ºBrix).
selection; physical-chemical characteristics; rambutan
