Nutritional quality of dwarf
Carica papaya
fruits produced in aquaponics systems integrated with African catfish (
Ounísia D Santos, Judite Vieira, Daniela C Vaz, Vânia S Ribeiro, Alexandra Carvalho, Joaquina Pinheiro, Zaida L Almeida, Pedro F Cruz, André Fonseca, Maria C Rodrigues, Luís Cotrim, Susana Bernardino, Raul Bernardino, Fernando Sebastião Abstract
BACKGROUND
Carica papaya is a fast‐growing plant with high productivity and nutraceutical value, due to its fruit – papaya, that is especially rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, dietary fibre, carpaine and papain. This study explores the feasibility of cultivating dwarf papaya plants in aquaponic systems integrated with African catfish ( Clarias gariepinus ), aiming to assess plant development and fruit quality. Twenty‐four Carica papaya plants were grown in deep‐water‐culture aquaponic systems.
RESULTS
The aquaponics environment maintained adequate water parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, electrical conductivity and nutrient levels), supporting plant growth. Plant biometrics were modelled by the Lundqvist–Korf and Richards functions. After 10 months, 70 ripe fruits were harvested (weight ~1.2 kg, length ~24 cm and maximal perimeter ~36 cm) and analysed in terms of colour, texture, mineral profile, antioxidants, contents in phenolics and flavonoids, soluble solids, moisture, ash and pigments, and compared to soil‐cultivated papayas. Aquaponics‐grown papayas presented similar levels of reducing sugars (~190 mg g −1 dry weight) and metabolite fingerprinting (by diffusion‐ordered nuclear magnetic resonance) to soil‐grown fruits, but slightly higher levels of firmness (~8.30 N), moisture (~90%), pH (pH ~6), ash (~1%), minerals (especially phosphorus and magnesium), antioxidants, phenolics and flavonoids. Aquaponics fruits also showed elevated pigment/carotenoid concentrations contributing to a more reddish pulp coloration, as also confirmed by the CIELab colour measurements ( a * ~20, b * ~30, L* ~37, C* ~36, H ° ~57).
CONCLUSION
The results demonstrate that aquaponic cultivation of dwarf papaya is a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional farming, producing fruits of comparable quality. This approach offers promising implications for water‐efficient soilless agriculture and integrated urban food systems. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.