Assessment of physical chemical parameters of cashew apples from selected cashew varieties grown in Tanzania

Abstract

Cashew apple fruits are deserted by majority of cashew nuts producers despite of being rich in useful nutrients namely vitamins, minerals and sugar. This study was carried out to determine the physico-chemical parameters of five cashew apple varieties from Mtwara and Lindi regions in south-eastern part and Coast region in eastern part of Tanzania. Cashew apple varieties named Brazilian dwarf (B.D), Anacardium Ceylon 4 (AC4), Anacardium Ceylon 10 (AC10), Anacardium Zanzibar 2 (AZA2) and Anacardium Zanzibar 17 (AZA17) were selected and analysed for vitamin C, carotenoids, total sugar, total phenolic content (TPC), minerals, pH, total soluble solids (TSS) and total titratable acidity (TTA) using standard methods and procedures. Significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in vitamin C, total sugar, TPC, TSS and TTA between the five varieties and sites with the content ranging from; vitamin C (253.09 - 348.54 mg/100 ml), total sugar (88.7 – 219.4 g/L), TPC (1066.55 – 2886.67 mg/L GAE), TSS (14.94 - 20.36 °Brix) and TTA (0.18 - 0.72%). Other parameters, pH and carotenoids differed significantly between varieties (p < 0.001) but there was no significant difference observed between sites. Minerals (Ca2+, K+ , Mg2+, Na+ , P3˗ , Fe2+ , Zn2+ and Cu2+) content differed significantly between varieties and sites (p < 0.05), except for calcium, magnesium and sodium. In Chambezi- Bagamoyo site, varieties differed significantly in all the parameters analysed except for vitamin C, pH, total soluble solids and all the minerals analysed except Ca2+ . These results have availed the potential nutritional value of locally available cashew apple fruits to food and nutrition security if well promoted for utilization.