Quality Evaluation of Cydonia oblonga (Quince) Fruit and Its Value Added Products

The present investigation was undertaken with aim to analyze physico-chemical parameters and to develop processed products from highly nutritious underutilized quince fruit (Cydonia oblonga) of Himachal Pradesh. The fruit contains good amount of vitamin C, pectin and minerals. The nutritional changes in Cydonia oblonga fruit products like ready-to–serve beverage (RTS), jam and fruit bar during storage were studied. The TSS, acidity and reducing sugars increases while pH, ascorbic acid and total sugars decreases with the increase of storage interval. The prepared products were evaluated organoleptically to a panel of members at different storage intervals and all the products were acceptable even up to storage interval of 9 months at ambient conditions except RTS beverage. The colour, taste, flavour and consistency of the products were found to be good. The prepared products were free from any microbial load during 9 months of storage except RTS beverage. The cost of products was also calculated for economical feasibility.