Local Fruit Research Articles

THE INFLUENCE OF PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES, CONSUMER ATTITUDE AND CONSUMER INTEREST ON THE PURCHASE DECISION OF LOCAL ORANGE FRUIT IN MALANG CITY

This study aims to determine the effect of product attributes, consumer attitudes and consumer interest on purchasing decisions of local citrus fruits on consumers in Malang City. This research method is descriptive quantitative using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis with Warp Partial Least Square (WarpPLS) approach. Primary data was obtained through filling out a questionnaire as an online interview media. Meanwhile, secondary data was obtained through literature studies from various related sources. Sampling was done based on non-probability sampling technique and 124 samples were selected as respondents in this study. The results showed that product attributes had a positive and significant effect on consumer attitudes and interests, consumer attitudes had a positive and significant effect on purchasing decisions, and positive and significant consumer interest on purchasing decisions.

Potential of Local Fruits (Kersen (Muntingia calabura), Kawista (Limonia acidissima) and Trembesi (Samanea saman) as Sweetener with Low Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs in a person characterized by hyperglycemia. One of the cause of diabetes melitus is excessive consumption of simple sugar, so it is necessary to replace sugar (sucrose) with natural sweteeners derived from sweet fruit such as kersen, kawista and trembesi. This research is an experimental study to make natural sweeteners from kersen, kawista and trembesi fruit powder. The natural sweeteners of kersen, kawista dan trembesi fruit powder were analyzed for protein, fat, dietary fiber, ash, water, and carbohydrates. The solubility tests was carried out by the AOAC method, brix with refractometry, sugar content by spectrophotometry, organoleptic properties by hedonic test. The natural sweetener of trembesi fruit powder was analyzed glycemic index by the method of Wolever et al. (2001) and glycemic load was calculated from glycemic index test of food taking into account the amount of carbohydrates available in the serving size. There was a significant difference (p<0,05) in solubility, brix index, total sugar, sucrose content, organoleptic preference level moisture, ash, fat, protein, and carbohydrate content among the three types of fruit powder but there was no significant difference (p>0,05) on the dietary fiber and reducing sugar content. The glycemic index and glycemic load value of trembesi fruit powder were 29,09 and 7,09. Natural sweeteners from trembesi fruit powder has highest carbohydrate content compared to kersen and kawista fruit powder. Natural sweetener from trembesi fruit powder has low glycemic index (29,09) and glycemic load (7,09).

Pathogenic Microorganisms Linked to Fresh Fruits and Juices Purchased at Low-Cost Markets in Ecuador, Potential Carriers of Antibiotic Resistance

The pathogenic microorganisms linked to fresh fruits and juices sold out in retail low-cost markets raise safety concerns as they may carry multidrug-resistant (MDR) genes. To evaluate the microbiological quality and safety of highly consumed fruits and derivatives in Imbabura Province, Ecuador, ready-to-eat strawberries (5 independent batches; n = 300 samples), and gooseberries (5 separate batches; n = 500 samples), purchased from a local fruit farm grower and low-cost retail market, along with 20 different natural fruit- and vegetables-based juices (3 independent batches; n = 60 samples) purchased from food courts located within the low-cost markets were analyzed. Bacteriological analysis showed that the microbial quality was lower as several indicators (n = 984) consisting of total coliforms (TCOL), total aerobes (AEROB), Enterobacter spp. (ENT), Shigella spp., (SHIGA), yeasts (YE), and molds (M) were detected. Staphylococcus spp. (STAPHY) was found in both fruits regardless of origin, while Escherichia coli (EC) isolates were found in strawberries but not gooseberries. Salmonella spp. (SALM) were detected in juices only. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed multidrug resistance of several isolates. The hemolytic pattern revealed that 88.89% of EC and 61.11% of ENT isolates were beta-hemolytic. All STAPHY isolates were beta-hemolytic while SALM and SHIGA were alpha-hemolytic. Plasmid curing assay of MDR isolates (ENT, EC, SALM, and STAPHY) showed that the antibiotic resistance (AR) was highly indicative of being plasmid-borne. These results raise concerns about the consumption of MDR bacteria. However, good agricultural and industrial practices, behavioral change communication, and awareness-raising programs are necessary for all stakeholders along the food production and consumption supply chain.

Synthesis, Characterization and Performance Evaluation of Burmese Grape (Baccaurea ramiflora) Seed Biochar for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment

Biochar prepared from different bio-sources serves as a feasible solution for the decontamination of dye-contaminated wastewater. In this study, biochar was synthesized from a sustainable source, i.e., local fruit waste, Burmese grape seeds (BGSs). The seeds were collected from a local market, washed, pre-teated and finally converted into biochar by pyrolysis in a N2 furnace. The removal efficiency of the synthesized biochar was evaluated towards a cationic industrial azo dye, methylene blue (MB). The phosphoric acid (H3PO4) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) pretreated BGS were pyrolized at 500 °C for 3 h in a N2 furnace at a heating rate of 10 °C/min. The spectroscopic analysis confirmed the presence of multiple surface functional groups, e.g., R-OH, OH, -C=O, -COOH, etc. The surface of the biochar was randomized with porous tunnel-like structures. The specific surface area and pore volume obtained from BET analysis were 19.90 ± 1.20 m2/g and 5.85 cm3/g. The MB concentration (mg/L), contact duration (min) and pH were varied to assess the MB sorption phenomena. The optimum pH was found to be 8. During the first 20 min of contact time, adsorption was rapid and equilibrium was reached after 75 min. The adsorption was best described by pseudo-first-order kinetics with a good fit (R2 = 0.99). The maximum removal percentage was ~85%, and per gram of BGS can adsorb 166.30 mg of MB, which supports the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. The obtained results were compared with the reported literature, and BGS showed its excellent candidacy to be industrially utilized in the tertiary stage of wastewater treatment plants.

Klasifikasi Tingkat Kematangan, Kualitas dan Jenis Buah Pisang Berdasarkan Ciri Warna dan Bentuk Menggunakan Artificial Neural Networks

Banana fruit is a commodity that makes a major contribution to national and international fruit production figures. The government through the National Standardization Agency establishes standards for bananas, maintaining the quality of bananas. The purpose of this study was to classify the level of maturity, quality and type of banana based on color, size and shape characteristics in the Cavendish Banana Garden, Banyumas Regency, Central Java in accordance with SNI 7422: 2009. The bananas found in the Cavendish Banana Garden have various qualities, as a local fruit that has high economic value and has a market potential that is still wide open, bananas are one of the most reliable fruit commodities. The problem that is often found is the lack of accuracy and lack of knowledge of employees in distinguishing the types, quality and ripeness of bananas, especially new employees. Jaringa Saraf Tiruan (Neural Network) are used as a method in the classification process. The dataset in this study is a picture of bananas with 9 types, namely Ambon banana, plantain, Cavendish banana, Kirana banana, Barangan banana, jackfruit banana, gold banana and kapok banana. The ripeness of bananas in this study were the raw, ripe and overripe levels. The program is created using Tensorflow Python, the test results produce an accuracy level of 98,7 %

Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus diet in a nutshell: use of indigenous and exotic plants in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa

The success of conservation action for a threatened species can be improved by knowledge of its feeding and breeding requirements. The Cape Parrot Poicephalus robustus is a threatened endemic restricted to patches of mistbelt forest in South Africa. Cape Parrots are considered dietary specialists, preferring the kernels of yellowwood Podocarpus/Afrocarpus species, and consuming other species when these are not available. We investigated the diet composition of Cape Parrots in the Amathole region of the Eastern Cape province through targeted and opportunistic observations from 2016 to 2021. We monitored the availability of indigenous and exotic forest fruit over this timeframe and determined whether between-season and within-season differences were significant. We also monitored Cape Parrot presence and diet, weekly, at a pecan tree orchard and collected pecan nuts for compositional analysis. Additionally, we investigated whether Cape Parrots tracked this exotic feeding resource relative to local indigenous fruit abundance and changes in pecan nut composition. Cape Parrots were observed feeding on 36 tree species during this study, of which 61% were exotic. We recorded 24 new tree species (mostly exotics) not previously recorded as eaten by this parrot species. However, most feeding records were of parrots eating indigenous rather than exotic species, excluding the targeted observations of them eating at pecan orchards. Cape Parrots fed on pecans in each season despite the relatively high availability of indigenous forest fruits. Although not significant, Cape Parrots appeared to track changes in pecan nut composition during each season, gathering in the largest numbers when fat levels in the pecans were highest. Cape Parrots appear to be adapting to human-modified habitat based on the observations of annual visits to exotic pecan orchards and the high number of exotic species in their diet. The impact of exotic feeding resources on their health remains to be determined.

Removal of pollutants from wastewater using activated carbon from durian peel

The efforts in reducing food waste can lead to better water management with less land required for food production and indirectly having a positive impact on the livelihoods and the environment. In order to support the practice of reducing food waste in Brunei Darussalam, one must find ways to recycle or reuse them, particularly waste generated from fruit peels. This paper investigates the feasibility of utilising Durian (Durio zibethinus) rinds to remove pollutants in wastewater, namely Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Nitrates by the process called adsorption. Durian is a local fruit and has high consumption in the country. Hence, it produces a large amount of waste, particularly in the form of peels or rinds. In the present research, the fruit peels are treated by dehydration and carbonisation method prior to utilisation. The variable parameters will be investigated such as the effect on particle size, adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and agitation. The maximum COD removal percentage was found to be 68.2 % with an adsorption capacity of 690 mg/g. Overall, carbonised samples gave a better outcome than dehydrated samples. Possibly due to the presence of a unique pore structure in carbonised samples that allows organic matter to be adsorbed on the surface.

Chestnut weevil Curculio elephas (Gyll.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Una-Sana canton (B&H)

The Una-Sana Canton (the northwest part of Bosnia and Herzegovina) abounds in large forest areas, where the self-sown sweet chestnuts Castanea sativa Mill. grow. However, the plant has been endangered due to the negative effects of disease-causing agents, harmful insects, and human factors (uncontrolled forest logging). Moreover, the chestnut weevil Curculio elephas causes significant damage to the local chestnut fruit. This study aims to analyze the emergence of the pest and the damage which it produces in the forest areas of the northwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina, precisely in Una-Sana Canton. The presence of the chestnut weevil has been examined on samples taken from 15 locations in chestnut forest in the municipalities of Cazin, Velika Kladuša and Bužim. In order to research this phenomenon more precisely, each fruit has been cut, the larvae have been separated from it and damage in the inner part of the fruit has been observed. The number of larvae has been noted per a sample. With respect to each sample, the mass of healthy and damaged part of the fruit has been measured. The number of larvae ranges from 5 to 15 per sample. The percentage of damaged fruit parts ranges from 4,2% to 13,6%. The reason for the increased presence of the chestnut weevil in the analyzed chestnut forest is in addition to the beneficial chemical composition of the fruit and the late detection of the presence of insect existing in severely large populations. The use of chemical preparations (pesticides) as a solution to this issue is ecologically unacceptable, especially in a larger area. It is mandatory to manually collect all the fruit that fells of the chestnut trees prematurely and, moreover, to stop the further development of the larvae. Considerable results can also be achieved by separating individual chestnut stands and changing the purpose of its use, as well as combining the method with the limited use of pesticides.

Medicinal effect of carrot and storage technologies in modern refrigerated warehouses

This article shows the importance of the local carrot root fruit in the national economy, which is loved by the population today. Its branches of use for the food industry, i.e. cases of maximum preservation of its medicinal properties and chemical composition compared to other types of vegetables, in the production of various products in a fresh yellow appearance, storage and processing for certain periods, have been studied. In addition, the superiority levels of carrots over other products, as well as the main chemical composition of carrot tubers in any form of use, the amount of dissolved dry matter in the tubers and the level of acidity in the juice were studied. The dependence of the storage period of carrots in the freshly cut state and the long-term storage period, in addition, the main technological parameters in the process of long-term storage of carrot tubers in modern refrigerated warehouses are presented. Information on the total amount of natural weight loss during initial cooling and long-term storage with changes in quality indicators depending on the temperature and relative humidity of the air in the cooling chamber is presented.

An Analysis of Consumers Preference for Apples in Bangalore City

Human diets need fruits. India imports several fruits from throughout the globe. The research documented the source and varieties of imported fruits available in the market, analysed customer choice, and assessed variables affecting consumption. The Bengaluru research had 60 participants. The survey found that India imports the most fruits from China in 2016-17. Most customers chose apple (82.33), followed by pomegranate (69). Nearly 41.67% of customers choose trustworthy brands, while 36.67% are fine with any brand. Most customers (58.33%) bought imported fruits via contemporary retail, followed by wholesalers (30%). In Bengaluru, 81.67% of buyers said health, flavor, and quality influenced their purchase of imported fruits. To lessen dependency on imported fruits, state agricultural colleges, especially horticultural universities and departments, must enhance local fruit quality, taste, and color to compete with imported fruits.

Influence of pre-treated local fruit peels in remediating dye pollutant

Improper discharge of dye pollutants into the environment is a crucial issue in many countries. Multiple methods have been explored to remove dye pollutants, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. This study aims to investigate the potential of pre-treated local fruit peels in removing toxic dyes. In this study, mango and jackfruit were used as adsorbents for the remediation of methylene blue (MB). The fruit peels undergo different treatments, followed by UV–vis and FTIR analyses to determine the sorption of MB. Findings showed that jackfruit treated with methanol and autoclaved mango peels demonstrated superior removal with 88.8% and 82.1% decolorization efficiency (DE), respectively. Further analyses confirmed the occurrence of sorption via the reduction of absorption peaks and identification of a higher number of functional groups. Therefore, this study revealed the pre-treated mango and jackfruit capacity as potential adsorbents for removing toxic dyes.

Different Varieties and Sources of Apples Marketed in Bangalore City

Fruits are essential components of the human diet. India is engaged in the importation of various kinds of fruits sourced from diverse regions throughout the globe. The purpose of this research was to record the sources and various kinds of imported fruits that are accessible in the market. Additionally, the study aimed to analyses consumer preferences for imported fruits and examines the variables that influence the consumption of these fruits. The research was carried out in the city of Bengaluru, with a sample size of 60 participants. The survey revealed that China emerged as the primary recipient of fruit imports to India in the fiscal year 2016-17. The apple had the greatest level of customer preference, with a mean score of 82.33, while the pomegranate trailed closely behind with a mean score of 69. Approximately 41.67% of customers exhibit a preference for purchasing from established and reputable brands, while 36.67% express a willingness to consider any brand. A majority of customers (58.33%) opted to buy imported fruits via contemporary retail formats, although wholesalers accounted for a significant proportion (30%) of such purchases. The results of the survey indicate that a significant majority (81.67%) of customers in Bengaluru city have expressed that aspects such as health, flavor, and quality play a crucial role in their decision to buy imported fruits. The state Agricultural universities, together with Horticultural universities and Horticulture departments, should priorities efforts to enhance the quality, taste, color, and shelf life of local fruits. This is necessary to effectively compete with imported fruits and decrease reliance on them.

A Review of borneo buah engkabang (Shorea macrophylla) as potential omega-6 lipid source for fish feed

Lipid is an essential source in fish feed production. Vegetable or fruit oil is becoming preferred by many fish feed manufacturers to replace fish oil, which is expensive and scarce. Buah Engkabang (Shorea macrophylla) is well known as the largest genera of the Dipterocarpaceae family and is a popular local fruit collected in tropical forests or nearby rivers in West Kalimantan (Indonesia) and Sarawak (Malaysia). Buah engkabang is seasonal fruit during the dry season, known among the Sarawak locals as a climatic species that ripens between January and March in a favorable environment. This review emphasizes morphology characteristics and phytochemical properties, including fatty acid components. In addition, this review also reviewed the application of engkabang oil in feed production, cooking oil, and other edible products. The high content of saturated fatty acids like palmitic acid, stearic acid, and oleic acids in engkabang product could be essential as the potential omega-six lipid source suitable for freshwater fish like empurau, kelah, and other local fish species found in riverine of Borneo. This eview will provide information on the potential use of buah engkabang as a future lipid source in fish feed production.

Local Practice of Intelligent Innovation and Sustainable Development of Environmental in NCUT of Taiwan

The purpose of this project is to assist local fruit farmers to increase output value through innovative development, build a distribution network for agricultural products, and increase farmers' income. In the technology of increasing agricultural output value, NCUT's professional team applies smart agricultural technology to monitor fruit trees to prevent pests and diseases, maintain the healthy growth and yield of fruit trees, and solve the problem of lack of labor in farmland. The NCUT team practices strategic marketing and business models to guide fruit farmers to promote local creation and enhance local cultural characteristics. This project assists in the implementation of new quality-guaranteed and value-added technologies, promotes high-quality agricultural products across the country and improves local tourism marketing, and activates agricultural product promotion activities to achieve mutual support between industry and academia. In addition, in response to the 50th anniversary of the World Earth Day, NCUT held a tree planting to save the earth to implement the concept of sustainable environmental development. President Chen, faculty and students planted 500 Cinnamomum camphor seedlings on the NCUT campus in response to the UN Climate Change Framework Convention.Keyword: Environmental Protection, Local Practice, Intelligent Innovation, Intelligent Agricultural Technology, Sustainable Development

Bulgarian Local Cherry Genetic Resources towards Sustainable Agriculture

In the conditions of global climate change and invasion of new diseases and pests, the utilisation of the local gene pool is a vital step towards sustainable agriculture. Local cultivars and forms are generally considered as better adapted to the conditions of the originating region than widely spread commercial cultivars bred elsewhere. In order to collect, study, and preserve old and local fruit and vine cultivars and forms, a series of expeditions have been conducted throughout Bulgaria under the frame of project KP-06-N46/3 funded by the National Science Fund of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science. During these scientific expeditions, several local cherry forms were discovered without visual symptoms of brown rot Monilinia laxa (Aderh. and Ruhl.) Honey or cherry leaf spot Blumeriella jaapii (Rehm) Arx. To confirm the degree of resistance/low susceptibility of the specimens, laboratory tests with artificial inoculations of fruits and leaves were conducted. In the current study, two specimens found in Damyanovo region (a village in the municipality of Sevlievo, Gabrovo Province, in northern central Bulgaria) were included. They were compared to two old local cherry cultivars, ‘Volsko sartse’ and ‘Ranna cherna edra’, and two new selections of FGI-Plovdiv, ‘Asparukh’ (El.17-90) and ‘Kossara’, using ‘Bigarreau Burlat’ as reference cultivar for resistance to economically important diseases. The artificial inoculations confirmed the field observation of the cherry specimen with designation SM-58 with 0.00% of infected fruits. Therefore, it is recommended for use in the breeding programme of the Fruit Growing Institute, Plovdiv for the creation of new cultivars.

Does Quality Matter for Fruit Purchase Decisions? A Hedonic Analysis

The purpose of this study is to identify the implicit price of the fruit quality attributes in Bangladesh. In total, 700 consumers were interviewed from twelve districts of Bangladesh during the period of July–October 2020 with the help of a semi-structured questionnaire. The semi-log functional form of the regression model was estimated to find out the important quality attributes for a consumer purchase decision. The study revealed that both intrinsic and extrinsic attributes are important for imported and local fruit purchase decisions; however, “whole fresh” is the most important factor for fruit purchase decisions as consumers pay 19% less if the hog plum is whole rather than its other forms, i.e., sliced, pickled, etc. The purchase decisions of imported fruit over locally produced fruit differ by size and traceability information. The policy for the retail business of fruit is that the fruit may be traded as value-added products, such as slices, pickles, juice, and desserts, etc.

OPTIMIZATION OF ASPERGILLUS TUBINGENSIS GROWTH FOR CELLULASE PRODUCTION

Celluloses are the basic component of plant cell walls which are difficult to break however, cellulase enzymes have the ability to degrade the cellulose into glucose. The use of celullase enzymes is spreading widely particularly in the paper, pulp and food industries to reduce biowaste. The purpose of this study was to optimize the production of cellulase enzymes by using fungal strain Aspergillus tubingensis. The fungal strain Aspergillus tubingensis was extracted from putrid fruits and vegetable samples collected from the local fruit market of Pattoki in the District Kasur. The identification of fungus was carried out using microscope. Corn Stover was used as a substrate for cellulase production. Different parameters were used for the optimization of fungus growth such as substrate level, substrate particle size, temperature, pH, moisture, urea and glucose. Cellulase enzymes were purified by salting out and gel filtration techniques. The optimum substrate level, substrate particle size, temperature, pH, glucose, urea and moisture were analyzed as 5g, 40mm, 40°C, 4.5pH, 0.5g, 0.04g and 60% respectively. The maximum activity reveled by cellulase enzyme at different optimized parameters were reported in U/mL/min. The cellulase molecular weight was determined 71 kDa by Dodecyl Sulphate Poly Acrylamide Gel Electrophoresis. It was concluded that the study will help to a way for the scientists for the maximum production of cellulase from Aspergillus tubingensis using Corn stover as substrate and most cost-effective Solid State Fermentation method.

Molecular docking and in silico drug-likeness studies of Garcinia prainiana King bioactive compounds as pancreatic lipase inhibitors

Garcinia prainiana King is an underutilized local fruit possessing high value in numerous therapeutic uses. Unlike other Garcinia species such as G. cambogia and G. atroviridis, the anti-obesity effect of G. prainiana has never been evaluated. Thus, in the present study, the inhibitory potential of bioactive compounds from G. prainiana towards pancreatic lipase, an enzyme involved in fat digestion that caused obesity was evaluated. A molecular docking study of eleven G. prainiana bioactive compounds against pancreatic lipase was performed followed by in silico drug-likeness prediction using the SwissADME tool. The docking study demonstrated that amentoflavone is the top compound showing the highest inhibition activity towards pancreatic lipase compared to other compounds. Two hydrogen bonds were formed between amentoflavone and two catalytic residues, Ser152 and His263 of pancreatic lipase. The formation of hydrophobic interactions with the lid residues, Ala260 and Ala259, may also contribute to the inhibitory effect of this compound. Other than amentoflavone, 4‴-methylamentoflavone and naringenin 7-o-β-D-glucuronide also exhibited high inhibition activities against pancreatic lipase by interacting with the catalytic and lid residues through hydrogen bonds. However, in the context of drug developability, naringenin 7-o-β-D-glucuronide was predicted to have a higher potential to be an oral drug candidate compared to amentoflavone and 4‴-methylamentoflavone. In conclusion, this study indicated the potential of G. prainiana compounds, particularly amentoflavone, 4‴- methylamentoflavone and naringenin 7-o-β-D-glucuronide as new pancreatic lipase inhibitors. However, naringenin 7-o-β-D-glucuronide has a higher drug-likeness potential that could serve as a drug candidate for the development of an anti-obesity agent.

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF LOCAL FRUIT SELLING BUSINESSES IN THE SAENAM VILLAGE AND SALLU VILLAGE NORTH CENTRAL TIMOR

East Nusa Tenggara Province has land that tends to be dry, with several superior local fruit commodities such as oranges, mangoes, avocados, and jackfruit. One of the local fruit-producing centers in East Nusa Tenggara is North Central Timor (TTU) Regency. Most of the fruit needs in TTU Regency are supplied from West Miomaffo District, especially Saenam Village. Saenam Village produces 222 Kg of local fruit while Sallu Village is 345 Kg, but the sales volume value of Saenam Village is higher than Sallu Village with a difference of Rp. 1,000,000. Based on these conditions, this study focuses on the comparison of local fruit farming businesses in Saenam Village and Sallu Village. The purpose of this study is to compare and analyze the sales volume, relative market share level, and business position of local fruit commodities by applying BCG analysis. The results showed that the fruit business in Saenam Village had a total sales volume in 2018 of IDR 2,151,313, 2019 of IDR 1,915,296, and 2020 of IDR 2,175,685. Meanwhile, Sallu Village has a total sales in 2018 of Rp 1,009,821, 2019 Rp 899,584, and 2020 Rp 887,281. The market growth rate and relative market share are calculated based on the total sales volume. The results of the BCG analysis show that Saenam Village is in the star quadrant, with a market growth rate of 1.31% and a relative market share level of 2.57. Sallu Village has a market growth rate of -15.25% and a relative market share rate of 0.4. This value explains that the fruit products of Sallu Village are in the dog quadrant. The strategy that needs to be carried out by farmers in Saenam Village is to expand fruit marketing. The strategy that can be applied by farmers in Sallu Village is to replace fruit gardens with vegetable gardens in order to increase income and use land more optimally.

Hepatic and Renal Histopathological Effects of Local Fruit Juices containing Sodium Benzoate as Preservative

Packed fruit juices are commonly consumed on daily basis around the globe which usually contains sodium benzoate as food preservative to enhance their shelf life and its amount may vary from defined food standards among brands. This mammalian model based research was designed to investigate the impact of locally packed fruit juices’ regular intake on consumers. For this purpose, albino mice (Mus musculus) were acclimatized in laboratory environment for ten days and then categorized in control and two experimental groups. The selected local brands were Murree brewery lemon malt and Shezan mango juice and their 0.1ml prepared dose was given to experimental groups I and II, respectively, whereas; control group was treated with equivalent amount of distilled water. The obtained histopathological results emphasized that regular intake of sodium benzoate having fruit juices may cause severe damage to hepatic and renal tissues, usually in the form of necrosis, vascular congestion sometimes dilation and other cellular alterations i.e., in glomeruli and bile duct. Moreover, it may result in onset of tumorogenesis. The conclusion of this study is local food authorities should ensure the addition of a defined amount of sodium benzoate as juice preservative in locally packed juices to provide healthy products to consumers.