Study on proximate and nutritional parameters of guava (Psidium guajava L.) varieties grown in sodic soil

Abstract

Guava (Psidium guajava L.) is one of the important tropical fruit crops, grown in Tamil Nadu. It is rich source of vitamins, minerals and pectin. With an objective of analysing proximate and nutritional composition of guava varieties viz., Lucknow 49, Allahabad safeda and Arka kiran grown in salt affected soil during 2017. The proximate and nutritional compositions such as moisture, ash, crude fiber content, carbohydrate, protein and fat content of selected guava varieties grown under salt affected soil were studied. Results showed that the highest carbohydrate content (41mg/g tissue) was recorded in Allahabad safeda and lowest content (27.00 mg/g tissue) in Lucknow 49. The highest level of protein content (11.69 mg/g tissue) was observed in Arka kiran followed by Lucknow 49 (10.05 mg/g tissue) and Allahabad safeda (9.15 mg/g tissue). Significant level of lipid content was recorded for Lucknow 49 (469.48 µg/g tissue) and a least level in Allahabad safeda (279.20 µg/g tissue). Among the three varieties, Arka kiran recorded the highest moisture content (82.16 %) followed byAllahabad safeda (59%) and Lucknow 49 (48.66%). Highest ash content was observed in Lucknow 49 (10.15%) followed by Allahabad safeda (9.92%) and in Arka kiran (6.4%). Arka kiran and Allahabad safeda recorded closure values for crude fiber content. The findings reveal that the guava fruits have major source of proximate and nutritional composition and this may be considered as a good source of nutrition to the people of all age group.