Studies on physico-chemical characteristics of aonla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) fruits

Physico-chemical analysis of fruits of seven cultivars namely Krishna, Kanchan, Narendra Aonla-6, Narendra Aonla-7, Narendra Aonla-10, Francis and Chakaiya were studied during 2004–05. Fruit weight was maximum in cv. Krishna followed by Narendra Aorla -10 and Narendra Aonla-6. However, the differences were at par. Minimum fruit weight was recorded in cv. Kanchan. The fruits of cv. Narendra Aonla-6 contained minimum seed and fibre content, whereas maximum was noticed in cv. Kanchan. Variability in chemical constituents such as total soluble solids, acidity, ascorbic acid, total phenols and mineral content were also observed. The total soluble solids of aonla fruits varied from 10.00 to 12.00 percent and maximum was found in cv. Narendra Aonla-7 and Krishna. Maximum acidity, ascorbic acid, total minerals and minimum total phenol contents were recorded in cv. Narendra Aonla-6. In present study, the physico-chemical composition of cv, Narendra Aonla-6 showed better attributes for processing of various aonla products of economic importance.