Author(s): NV Naidu, M Sridhar, N Sabitha, TM Hemalatha and B Vajantha

Abstract: Juice quality deterioration parameters viz., P^H, reducing sugars and dextrans determined at different time lag intervals of crushing (0, 24, 48 and 72 hrs. after harvest) and at different months of crop age (10^th, 11^th, 12^th and 13^th) revealed significant differences among clones for P^H, reducing sugars and dextrans. The P^H in juice progressively decreased from 0 to 72 hrs. after crushing at all months of crop age and in all the clones tested. Percent reducing sugars showed a linear increase from 10^th to 13^th months of crop age and at all time lag intervals of crushing. Dextran content increased among the clones up to 12 months and declined at 13^th month of crop age. However, dextran content increased irrespective of clones studied from 0 to 72 hrs. of staling. The higher content of dextran in early maturing clones attributable to higher juice sucrose contrary to this reducing sugars were high in mid-late clones. Based on P^H, reducing sugars and dextrans in juice, it is suggested that early clones should be harvested by 11^th month and crushed within 24 hours of harvest while mid-late clones by 12^th month and within 48 hours of harvest. It is evident from the study that 2003V46 (TC), 2003V46 (S), COA14328 and 2016T7 in early and COA19322 in mid-late were found to have higher shelf life and tolerance to post harvest deterioration.

DOI: 10.33545/26174693.2024.v8.i2Sg.619