• KUMARI TANVI
• Dr. Gargi  Saxena

Abstract Fruit peels are a low-cost lignocellulose matter that is created as an organic waste by various food processing enterprises and households. They have some recycling potential. In the present study, two fruit peels, custard apple (Annona squamosa) and watermelon (Citrullus lanatus), which are easily available in large quantities, were analyzed for the proximate and functional properties by using standard procedures. The proximate compositions ( gm/100gm ) of the watermelon rind and custard apple peel were moisture (10.778 ±0.46, 5.796±0.33), dry matter (89.222 ±0.46, 94.204 ±0.33), fat (2.492±0.37 , 1.549±0.50 ), crude protein (8.986±1.28 , 6.778±0.66), carbohydrate (70.45±0.25 , 80.192±0.26), crude ash (2.793±0.48 , 1.759±0.21  ), and crude fibre (4.501±0.76 , 3.926±0.31) respectively. The functional qualities of the watermelon rind were 0.925±0.013 gm/cm3 (Bulk density), 7.131±0.21% (Water absorption capacity), 1.65±00 % (Oil absorption capacity) and 8.43±0.07% (Swelling capacity). The functional qualities of the custard apple peel were bulk density, 0.902±0.013 gm/cm3; Water absorption capacity, 4.366±0.24%; Oil absorption capacity, 1.27±01%; Swelling capacity, 5.0 ± 0.04%. The results of functional properties revealed that both the rind & peel can be used in the development of food products. When compared to other dried and raw peel samples, the oven-dried peel sample has lower moisture content and may be preserved for a longer period of time. Other significant proximate values indicate that both watermelon and custard apple peel had higher ash content, which indicates that both are a rich source of mineral content and the higher value of crude fiber indicates the ability to lower the risk of chronic diseases such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, etc.

Keywords:  Custard apple peel, Functional properties, Proximate analysis, Watermelon rind. 

"Comparative Investigation of the Proximate and Functional Properties of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Rind and Custard Apple (Annona squamosa) Peel", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 5, page no.a40-a44, May-2023, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2305006.pdf

"Comparative Investigation of the Proximate and Functional Properties of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Rind and Custard Apple (Annona squamosa) Peel", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.10, Issue 5, page no. ppa40-a44, May-2023, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2305006.pdf