Abstract:
Five guava cultivars (one red and four white fleshed) were characterized for primary elements (N, P, K), micro
elements (Fe, Mn, Zn), pigments (carotenoids and chlorophylls), and other postharvest fruit quality characteristics. A significant variation was recorded in fruit weight (~75–354 g), fruit length (~33–73 mm), fruit diameter
(~41–86 mm), specific gravity (1.04–1.19) and fruit shape index (0.73–1.08). A wide variation in TSS (~13-
10%), titratable acidity (0.42–0.77%), sugar/acid ratio (~7–13) and total sugar (4.02–6.88%) content was also
recorded. There was a significant variation in pigments (mg/100 g) such as chlorophyll-a (~5–12), chlorophyll-b
(~2–4) and carotenoids (~33–66) among different cultivars. Primary nutrients such as N, P, and K were found to
vary between 1.00-1.70, 0.12–0.15 and 2.60–3.28%, respectively. Micronutrients such as Fe, Zn, and Mn were
varied between 42.25-64.23, 13.88–18.38, and 2.93–8.23 ppm, respectively. As there is limited information
available on elemental and other postharvest characteristics of guava cultivars, results of this work could be useful
in the development of new varieties with elevated nutrient potential.
