Characterization of Neglected and Underutilized Fruits in the Philippines

Abstract

Twelve previously unreported fruit species native to the Philippines were examined for their unique characteristics. ‘Bayag-usa’ (Voacanga globosa) is a 60.8±3.7 g dark gray, reniform fruit. Red mangosteen (Garcinia hombroniana) is a bright red, globose fruit weighing 45.2±7.77 g, with 18±2 °Brix total soluble solids (TSS). The false mangosteen (Garcinia xanthochymus) is light yellow, heart-shaped and weighs 151±36.46 g, with TSS at 16±0.89 °Brix. Yellow mabolo (Diospyros blancoi) is canary yellow, depressed ovate, weighing 273.33±87.9 g, with edible portion (EP) of 78.44±1.2%. ‘Kolis’ (Memecylon ovatum) is round, dark purple, weighing 0.73±0.02 g, with TSS at 13±1.41 °Brix and an EP of 84.2±7.59%. Raspberry Bush (Randia formosa) is a 2.03±0.18 g yellow, tubular fruit. ‘Gabiroba’ (Compomanesia xantocarpa) is round, yellow, weighs 11.95±1.68 g, has 18±1.08 oBrix TSS, and is sub-acid with a Titratable Acidity (TA) of 0.13±0.75 meq/10 mL juice. ‘Tugos’ (Alpinia galanga) is globose, yellow-brownish and weighs 1.55±0.50 g. ‘Gapas-gapas’ (Citrus hystrix) is sour, weighing 66.18±2.89 g, with a TA of 1.06±0.23 meq/10 mL juice. ‘Bisbis’ (Citrus aurantifolia) is green, weighing 36.59±2.81 g, with a TA of 0.85±0.26 meq/10 mL juice. Additionally, ‘Kolisom’ (Citrus hystrix var. micrantha) is green, sour, weighing 65.78±2.7 g, with a TA of 1.59±0.84 meq/10 mL juice, and ‘Kolong-kolong’ (Citrus hystrix var. boholensis) is also green, weighing 64±1.7 g, with a TA of 1.1±0.7 meq/10 mL juice. The study also explored the pharmacological and ethnobotanical uses of these diverse species.