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Abstract

In this study the changes in physico-chemical properties of the juice of two apples varieties (yellow and red) from Yamoussoukro were analyzed. The overall objective of this study is a better understanding of the composition of cashew apple for a better use of it. Thus, the vitamin C content varies between 370.9 and 480.3 mg/100 g ; total sugars ranged from 162.7 to 168.1 g/L. Concentrations (g/L) of glucose, fructose and sucrose vary respectively between 47.2 to 65.8, 100.7 to 110.3 and 2.5 to 5.3. At the level of organic acids, citric acid leads with levels (µg/ml) ranged from 290.7 and 1092.1, followed by tartaric acid 497.5 to 693.3; from acetic acid 48.2 to 266.5, from oxalic acid 197.8 to 204.3 and finally to fumaric acid. The pH of the juice is between 4.37 to 4.5, titratable acidity between 0.5 to 0.85 %, the total soluble solids content between 10.2 to 10.9 °Brix; dry matter between 7.80 -10.0 % and ash from 1.31 to 1.88 %. The protein content varies from 0.51 to 0.53 g/100 g and key amino acids in order of size are leucine, cysteine and asparagine. Except the pH, color and maturity of apples influenced (p<0.05) significantly the parameters analyzed.

Keywords: Cashew apple, juice, color, physico-chemical composition

Introduction

The cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale L., Anacardiaceae) is a tree native to the northeastern coast of Brazil where it was cultivated by indigenous peoples long before its discovery by the Portuguese, who will introduce the latest in their African colonies and Asia (Olher, 1967; Rao and Swamy, 1994; City, 1995). The first cashew plantations have been established in Côte d'Ivoire in the years 1960-70 as part of the reforestation initiative. The cashew tree was associated with other plants such as teak and acacia (Aubertin, 1983). The cultivation of cashew in so thrived in the North to the center. These areas receiving a rainfall ranging range 1000 to 1400 mm/year (Dugué, 2002). The value of this tree has focused on the cashew that is the subject of international trade and which gives the cashew notoriety (Lacroix, 2003). In 2008, Côte d'Ivoire has exported 330,000 tones of cashew nuts (Anonymous 1, 2008). Apart from the cashew nut, the apple is fairly valued except in...

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