Unlocking the impact of drying methods on quality attributes of an unexploited fruit, karonda (Carissa carandas L.): A step towards food and nutritional security
Monika Mahajan, Harsimrat K. Bons, Gurpreet Kaur Dhillon, Poonam Aggarwal Sachdeva
Abstract
Karonda (Carissa carandas L.) is an underutilized fruit shrub and is mostly grown in Indian subcontinent as economic protective hedge around orchards. Its berry like fruits are edible and are enriched in nutrients. Its intake can be a boon for the people suffering from malnutrition and iron deficiency especially residing in tribal areas who can't afford costly fruits and vegetables. The major concern with karonda fruit is its post-harvest management as most of this fruit get wasted because of the high perishability, limited harvest time, improper processing and storage conditions, thereby reducing its nutritional quality. Drying is considered as a best food processing method for making the fruit available for extended period (s) of time. Therefore, the present study aims in finding the impact of economical drying methods like sun (SD), oven (OD) and microwave (MD) on the nutritional quality of karonda fruit. The nutritional parameters tested were the proximate composition, bioactive compounds (total phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanin), vitamin C, antioxidant activity and mineral content. The results revealed low power (200W) microwave and sun drying as the best processing methods to retain maximum nutritional compounds in karonda powder. Also, both the drying methods showed better color retention and anthocyanin content compared to oven dried samples. The findings of this study will help the consumers in bulk drying of karonda fruits for utilization in various food preparations as a nutritional substituent.