Journal of Applied Horticulture. 2003: 5(1): 32-38

Effect of fruit harvesting stages and processing treatments on the quality of sun dried fruits of lehsua (Cordia myxa Roxb.)

Fageria, M S; Preeti Khandelwal; Dhaka, R S

Post-harvest Technology Laboratory, Department of Horticulture, Rajasthan Agricultural University, SKN College of Agriculture, Jobner - 303 329, India.

Fruits of lehsua (Cordia myxa) were harvested at 3 different maturity stages (25, 35 and 45 days after fruit set) from plants grown in Jobner, Rajasthan, India, during 2000/01 and 2001/02. Blanching and sulfitation treatments of the fruits indicated that the drying ratio, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, protein and carbohydrate contents, and organoleptic score were higher in mature fruits, while rehydration ratio was higher in immature fruits. Ascorbic acid, protein and carbohydrate contents, and organoleptic score were significantly higher when fruits were blanched for 3 minutes with 0.3% KMS. In general, harvesting at 45 days after fruit set and blanching for 3 min with 0.3% KMS resulted in better quality of sun dried fruits of lehsua.