Organoleptic attributes and yield of products from Parinari curatellifolia , Strychnos cocculoides , Mangifera indica , Uapaca kirkiana and Vitex doniana in Malawi.

摘要

Indigenous fruit species of Miombo such as Parinari curatellifolia, Strychnos cocculoides, Uapaca kirkiana, and Vitex doniana and exotic fruits like Mangifera indica are becoming increasingly important food sources for many rural communities in Malawi. Recently, many local entrepreneurs in the country are engaged in processing these fruits into various commercial products including jams and juices. There is limited information on consumer preferences and yield potential of the various products that are made from this resource. In one study, the objective was to evaluate the organoleptic properties of four juice formulations from Parinari curatellifolia, Strychnos cocculoides, and Vitex doniana and five jam formulations from P. curatellifolia and V. doniana. In another study, yield of juice products from Parinari curatellifolia, Mangifera indica (control) and Uapaca kirkiana were compared. The sensory evaluation revealed that the jam and juice products were generally acceptable but that the type of formulation had a significant effect on organoleptic ratings, making certain formulations more preferable than others. The existence of variation in organoleptic ratings between formulations justifies the need for developing standardized formulas when making commercial products from these underutilized indigenous wild fruits. Significant differences (P<0.001) were found among Mangifera indica, Parinari curatellifolia, and Uapaca kirkiana in descending respective order. This means that different economic returns are likely to accrue from the same type of product but made from different species. An economic analysis is proposed in order to identify viable value-added products from different underutilized indigenous fruit species for commerce and poverty alleviation of rural communities.