Abstract:

This study investigated the phytochemical (ascorbate, phenolic and flavonoids levels, and antioxidant activity) and physicochemical (pH, titratable acidity, brix and colour) properties of six underutilized fruits: Averrhoa carambola, Borassus flabellifer. Carica papaya, Garcinia xanthochymus, Terminalia catappa and Vitus doniana. The pH and titratable acidity of the juice expressed from these fruits range between 2.9-5.6 and 0.3-0.78 %, respectively. B. flabellifer had the highest brix of 18.2, while V. doniana had the lowest brix of 5.40. With respect to ascorbate, phenolic and flavonoid levels, C. papaya, V. doniana and G. xanthochymus had the highest levels of 91.80 mg/100 g, 94.67 mg GAE/100 g and 83.75 mg RE/100 g, respectively. The antioxidant activity of the fruits determined as IC50 was highest in V. doniana and the least in G. xanthochymus.