Response of cultivars, picking dates and storage period on quality characteristics of imitation cherry of Karonda (Carissa carandas L.) fruits

Imitation cherry of Karonda was prepared from three cultivars viz., Pant Manohar, Pant Sudarshan and Pant Suvarna picked at 40, 60 and 80 days after fruit set. The storability of imitation cherry was evaluated at ambient room temperature for a period of nine months. The imitation cherry prepared at 80 days after fruit set showed maximum TSS (77.83 %), reducing sugar (42.21 %), non-reducing sugar (28.21 %), total sugar, ascorbic acid (6.69 mg/100g), phosphorus (3.55 mg/100g), calcium (1.23 mg/100g), iron (3.72 mg/100g), non-enzymatic browning, colour, appearance, aroma, taste and overall acceptability. Gradual reduction in TSS, reducing sugar, total sugar, titratable acidity, colour, appearance, aroma, taste, texture and overall acceptability were observed during the nine months storage period. However, non-reducing sugar, ascorbic acid and non-enzymatic browning were increased with the increase in storage period. Overall acceptability of the product ranged from 8.15 to 8.43 on 9 point hedonic scale at various intervals up to 9 months of storage. There was no yeast and mould growth being observed during the entire storage period. Imitation cherry prepared from Pant Suvarna at 80 days interval after fruit set proved significantly best in quality because of its higher nutritional and sensory characters.