Panchmahal district of Gujarat is having large undulating and hilly areas and scattered plantation of khirni (Manilkara hexandra Roxb.). Khirni fruit is very potential minor fruit as it is full of antioxidants, minerals and other phytochemicals. Dried fruits of khirni are used by the tribals and other local people during fast in many festivals and treated as raisins. Recently, Central Horticultural Experiment Station, Vejalpur has developed khirni variety Thar Rituraj which is early, semi-spreading type, regular bearer, semi-dwarf and starts flowering in 4th year after planting. For easy harvesting, proper canopy architecture (plant height up to 3.0–4.0 m) is required and for this, annual pruning (25–40% of annual growth) during June-July is very effective. A total of 10 genotypes were used for chemical analysis. The experiment was laid out in completely randomized design with 3 replications. Fresh fruits of khirni (Thar Rituraj) recorded 5.10 g average fruit weight, 24.80o Brix T.S.S., 0.35 per cent titratable acidity, 17.90 per cent total sugar and 28.40 mg/100g vitamin C and carotene (6.90 mg/100g). Dried fruits after one year recorded 64.20o Brix T.S.S., 45.70 per cent total sugar and 1.30 per cent acidity. It may be concluded that sun drying with the application of castor oil on the khirni fruits is very economical and eco friendly technology for the resource poor farmers. There is need for further popularization of dried khirni fruits as nutritional substitute.
Antioxidants, Minerals, Nutritional value, Phytochemicals
