Screening of Fruit Wastes as Pectin Source

This study was carried out on estimation of inedible part (waste) of fruit and screening for potential pectin content (calcium pectate) in fruit wastes with respect to type, location and maturity. Fruit waste generation was significantly different in different fruit type, variety and maturity. In a whole fruit, amount of fruit waste (peel & core) was significantly higher than amount of fruit pulp. Among the waste evaluated the overall calcium pectate producing potential in order of merit were lemon, dragon fruit, guava, mango, jackfruit, banana, pomegranate, papaya, watermelon and pineapple. Unused fruit waste could be potential sources of pectin production.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 10(1): 65-70 2017

Phenological and Physiological Study of Six Cultivars of Ziziphus spp. Planted in Basra Province- Iraq.

This study was conducted in a private orchard at Abu Al Khasib area in Basra province – Iraq, during the growing season (2013), to evaluate six cultivars of Ziziphus spp. Plant, phenologically and physiologically. The results confirmed a difference among the cultivars in some phenological characteristics, and a similarity in others. While in physiological characteristics, and a similarity in others. While in physiological characteristics the study showed a significant superiority of the Toffahi cultivar in its length, diameter and weight of fruits (4.00 cm, 3.26 cm and 7.30 g.) respectively and in its fruit dry weight percentage (42.38 %), while the Hindi cultivar was superior in the T.S.S., water content and phenols percentages (17.22, 67.36 and 2.21 %) respectively. But the Laimoni cultivar was superior in leaf area, adjustable total acidity percentage and calcium pectate percentage (6.78 cm2, 0.81 % and 4.57%) respectively. While Bathri cultivar was significantly superior in total chlorophyll content (3.36 mg. 100-1 fresh weight). Whilst the rest of cultivars showed a variable differences among them.