Utilization of selected underexploited fruits for product development

Abstract

In the present study entitled "Utilization of selected underexplotied fruits for product development" include developing products from underexploited fruits like bilimbi, roseapple (rose and white types) and lovi-Iovi (sweet and sour type). The products prepared from these fruits were bilimbi jam, bilimbi pickle, roseapple squash (rose), roseapple squash (white), lovi-Iovi preserve in sugar and lovi-Iovi in brine. Physico-chemical examination of the fruits indicated wide difference in characters among the selected fruits. Regarding the sensory evaluation of the fruits, roseapple (rose) had highest overall acceptability followed by roseapple (white), lovi- lovi (sweet), lovi-lovi (sour) and the least bilimbi. All the products developed in the present study confirmed with FPO specifications. Cost analysis of the products indicated lowest cost for lovi- lovi in brine and the maximum expense for lovi-lovi preserve in sugar. Roseapple (rose and white) squashes exhibited high fruit product yield ratio followed by bilimbi jam, lovi-lovi.preserve in sugar, lovi-lovi in brine and bilimbi pickle. The major chemical components analysed in the products developed from the selected fruits were TSS, acidity, vitamin C, reducing, non reducing and total sugar. During the storage period of six months, TSS, acidity, reducing and total sugars were found to be increased gradually in bilimbi jam and rose and white roseapple squashes while

vitamin C and non reducing sugar were reduced. With the progress of storage period, TSS, acidity and non reducing sugar were found to be increased in case of bilimbi pickle. TSS, reducing sugar, total sugar were found to be increased in lovi -lovi preserve in sugar while acidity, vitamin C and non reducing sugar were decreased. But in lovi-lovi preserved in brine acidity was increased gradually while other chemical constituents decreased as the storage proceeds. Regarding the organoleptic qualities of the products during storage, characters like appearance and colour were decreased whereas flavour, texture, taste and overall acceptability were found to be gradually increased in bilimbi jam and lovi-lovi preserve in sugar. In products like bilimbi pickle, roseapple squashes and lovi-lovi in brine, all the characters were found to be decreased during storage. No microbial count was observed m all the products throughout the storage study.