Biochemical Evaluation of Diverse Wood Apple (Feronia limonia L.) Genotypes under Tamil Nadu Conditions

Abstract

Aim: Wood apple (Feronia limonia L.) is a hardy, underutilized indigenous fruit tree known for its exceptional adaptability to harsh agro-climatic conditions, including drought, salinity, and degraded soils. Despite its rich nutritional and medicinal profile comprising vitamins, minerals, phenolic compounds, and pectin wood apple has seen limited attention in terms of systematic breeding, biochemical evaluation, and commercial cultivation. In the context of growing demand for nutritious, climate-resilient fruit crops and the need for value addition in lesser-known species, a deeper understanding of its genetic variability in quality traits is critical. Thus, this study was undertaken to explore the genetic diversity in key biochemical traits among selected wood apple genotypes with the aim of identifying elite lines suitable for varietal development, industrial processing, and nutritional enhancement. Methodology: A field evaluation was conducted at the Department of Fruit Science, Horticultural College and Research Institute, TNAU, Periyakulam, Tamil Nadu during 2019-2024. A total of nine genotypes (WFL-01 to WFL-09), shortlisted from prior germplasm collections based on preliminary quality traits, were subjected to detailed biochemical assessment under Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications Results: The current shows significant variability among the genotypes for quality parameters such as total soluble solids (TSS) ranging from 13.4 - 15.0 °Brix, acidity (2.40 - 3.60 %), TSS/acidity ratio (3.72 - 7.00), ascorbic acid (13.8 - 16.5 mg 100 g-1), calcium (130 - 245 mg 100 g-1), potassium (670 - 740 mg 100 g-1), pectin content (4.70 - 5.40 %), total sugars (1.83 - 2.38 %), reducing sugars (0.96 - 1.29 %), and non-reducing sugars (0.85 - 1.06 %). Conclusion: The present five-year study (2019–2024) revealed significant genetic variability among nine wood apple (Feronia limonia L.) genotypes. Among the genotypes, WFL-03 consistently recorded superior performance across all key quality traits, with TSS (15.0 °Brix), the lowest acidity (2.4 %), the highest TSS/acidity ratio (7.0), highest ascorbic acid (16.5 mg 100 g-1), and highest pectin content (5.40 %), making it highly suitable for varietal development and commercial processing applications such as value-added products, nutraceutical formulations and functional foods. Its favorable sugar profile also indicates its acceptability for fresh consumption and industrial use. The observed variability highlights the genetic potential for crop improvement programs aimed at enhancing nutritional quality and promoting wood apple as a climate-resilient, underutilized fruit crop with applications in health, food, and sustainable agriculture.