Evaluation of cultivars and packing materials during preparation and storage of ber candy

Ber (Zizyphus mauritiana) is known as poor man’s fruit and is rich in protein, phosphorus, calcium, carotene and vitamin-C. The present investigation was conducted at laboratory Department of Post Harvest Technology collage of Horticulture and forestry, Narendra Deva University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) during the year 2010-11. The physico-chemical characteristics were evaluated for different caltivars viz., Illaichi, Ponda, Umran, Gola, Banarsi Karaka and Narendra Ber Sel-2. The cultivars physico-chemical composition of ber fruit and organoleptic quality of candies Banarsi Karaka was found best suited among all cultivars for making of candy. Storage studies indicated that LDPE film was better in comparison to glass jar and plastic jar for packaging of ber candy at ambient temperature and candy was found in good condition after 9 months of storage period in LDPE film. The maximum cost benefit ratio of ber candy was found to be 1: 1.25 than packed in LDPE film followed by plastic jar and glass jar