ECONOMIC VALUE, STORAGE AND SHELF LIFE STUDIES ON THE AFRICAN CHERRY, Chrysophyllum albidum

ABSTRACT

The effect of refrigeration and room temperature storage on shelf-life characteristics of African cherry (agbalumo) Chrysophyllum albidum were examined in this study. The research was carried out to determine how long the African cherry fruits can last under low temperature storage and to know more about the shelf-life characteristics. A set of African cherry fruit were stored in the freezer for a period of twelve weeks (three months). A second set was stored in open air under room temperature for the same period. At twelve weeks for set one, as the fruit became thawed they lost their original structure and weight due to chilling injury, the fruits became soft, the skin turned black with white patches, after opening it up the taste was still okay to an extent, it maintained sour taste and gelling properties. The fruit colour was affected same as the texture, aroma, mass of pulp, flavor and acceptability value. The seeds were unaffected. For set two, at day seven, most of the fruits showed spoilage characteristics which include; very soft texture, spotted and dark skin, shrinkage, while some fruits were infested by maggots. At day twelve, the entire set 2 was completely infested with maggot and appeared to be rotten. It didn’t last up to twelve weeks as initially intended.  The inference based on the findings was that, the fruits were highly perishable but when stored under low temperature can last a longer time. Especially when it is to be industrially processed. Industries should produce Chrysophyllum albidum as sugar jam in large quantities after research uncovers it’s health benefits. Studies to improve the jam quality of African.