Evaluation of Physico-Chemical Characteristics of Different Ber Cultivars for Optimal Candy Production

The present study was conducted to assess the physico-chemical properties of four Indian jujubes (Ziziphus mauritiana) cultivars—Gola, Kaithli, Umran, and Apple Ber to identify the most suitable cultivar for candy production. Fresh fruits were procured from the experimental orchard of the department of horticulture, CCSHAU, Hisar, during the 2023–24. The cultivars were evaluated based on key parameters, including total soluble solids (TSS), acidity, ascorbic acid content, chlorophyll, carotenoids, phenols, browning, and antioxidant activity. Significant varietal differences were observed, indicating the potential for selective utilization of specific fruit cultivars in processing industries for value addition. One of the main challenges encountered in the study was maintaining uniform post-harvest handling and minimizing variability due to environmental factors affecting fruit composition. Despite these challenges, significant varietal differences were observed, indicating the potential for selective utilization of specific fruit cultivars in processing industries. The findings contribute to the development of value-added products by identifying promising cultivars for candy production and supporting future research on underutilized fruits.