Physicochemical Characterization and Mass Modeling of Blood Fruit (Haematocarpus Validus) – An Underutilized Fruit of Northeastern India

Abstract

Blood fruit is an underutilized and highly nutritious fruit available in the Northeastern part of India. Proper design and development of sorting and grading systems help in improving the utilization of the fruit. Mass-based grading is more economical than the size-based grading of fruits. The main aim of this study is to investigate the physical, biochemical, thermal, and textural properties of blood fruit and also to determine the best models for predicting the mass of blood fruit using its physical properties. Various physical properties include dimensions, diameters, area, and volume were measured. The fruit is also a good source of phytochemicals like total phenolic compounds (678.21 ± 10.71), flavonoids (489.80 ± 6.72), and anthocyanins (581.21 ± 5.31), respectively. Four different empirical models such as linear, quadratic, power, and s-curve were used to correlate the mass of blood fruit with its physical properties. Fruit width and projected area perpendicular to width in the quadratic model and ellipsoidal volume in the linear model were found best based on the highest R2 for predicting the mass of blood fruit. The present study would significantly increase the knowledge base and useful to design and fabricate postharvest equipment like graders and sorters, which in turn increases the value and commercialization of the fruit.

Mass modeling of strawberry (Fragaria × Ananasa) based on selected physical attributes

“…Khoshnam et al (2007) reported that the power model (M = 1.29[PA1] 1.28 ) based on the projected area and having R 2 = 0.96 was the bestfitted model based on area for pomegranates. The power model (M = 129.3SA À0.36 ) based on the surface area of blood fruit was the best-fitted model for mass prediction with the highest value of R 2 = 0.845, as reported by Sasikumar, Vivek, Chakkaravarthi, and Deka (2020).…”

Effect of spray drying conditions on the physical characteristics, amino acid profile, and bioactivity of blood fruit ( Haematocarpus validus Bakh.F. Ex Forman) seed protein isolate

“…Due to the lack of processing technology, the fruit remains underutilized (Odeja et al, 2015;Sasikumar, Pradhan, et al, 2019;Sasikumar, Vivek, et al, 2019). In recent times, blood fruit's production and consumption have significantly increased due to extensive research activities by various researchers (Sasikumar, Chutia, et al, 2019;Sasikumar, Das, Sahu, et al, 2020;Sasikumar & Deka, 2018;Sasikumar, Vivek, et al, 2021). The fruit consists of sweet pulp and a big seed; usually, the seed portion is discarded.…”

“…The average weight of the whole blood fruit was 22 g, while, the pulp, pericarp and endocarp were 6 g (27%), 9.26 (42%) and 6.89 g (31%), respectively (Sasikumar, Vivek, et al, 2021). The seed is an excellent source of high-quality proteins, essential amino acids, minerals, and phytochemicals Sasikumar, Das, Sahu, et al, 2020;Sasikumar, Das, Saravanan, et al, 2020;Sasikumar, Das, & Jaiswal, 2021).…”

Effects of extraction methods and solvents on the bioactive compounds, antioxidant activity, and storage stability of anthocyanin rich blood fruit ( Haematocarpus validus ) extracts

“…Blood fruits (Haematocarpus validus) found in Meghalaya, North-East India, is known as one of the promising edible fruits and rich in anthocyanins and phenolic acids (Sasikumar, Chutia, & Deka, 2019;Sasikumar, Das, Saravanan, & Deka, 2020;Sasikumar, Das, Sahu, & Deka, 2020;Sasikumar & Deka, 2018;Sasikumar, Pradhan, & Deka, 2019;Sasikumar, Vivek, Chakkaravarthi, & Deka, 2021;Sasikumar, Vivek, & Deka, 2019). The efficient extraction procedure of anthocyanins from blood fruit is not developed till now.…”