Value addition traits of novel minor fruits of Assam-Nagatenga (Rhus semialata) and Leteku (Baccaurea sapida) Firdusi Syeda Nishat*, Bhattacharyya Ruma, Barooah Mridula Saikia, Das Pranati, Saikia Ananta Assam Agriculture University, Jorhat-785013, Assam *Corresponding author: nishat4t@rediffmail.com
Online published on 3 June, 2021. Abstract The Rhus semialata (Nagatenga) fruit is small, round in shape and less than one inch in size and the fruit of Baccaurea sapida (Leteku) is yellowish and velvety, 2–3 cm in diameter with leathery pericarp. The shelf life of the fruits Rhus semialata and Baccaurea sapida is 1–2 days and upto 7 days, respectively under room temperature. These fruits can be considered as super foods as the study reveals that the fruits are accumulated with well-balanced nutrients and health protective compounds such as minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals. The physical and quality characteristics (edible portion, juice content, pulp content, acidity, TSS, pH, pectin) of the fruits reveals that they are suitable for producing various value-added products like beverages, sauce, pickle, jelly, etc. According to these characteristics, Rhus semialata fruits can be considered for making squash, sauce, pickle and chutney. Baccaurea sapida fruits due to being highly juicy with less pulpy characteristics are more suitable for beverage making; even good wine can be produced from this fruit. These minor fruits could be made available throughout the year and to the areas far from their site of yield by minimizing their post-harvest losses by extending the shelf life by processing them to different value-added products. Top Keywords Baccaurea sapida (Leteku), Minor fruits, Nutrients, Phytochemicals, Rhus semialata (Nagatenga), Value-addition. Top |