Development of pastilles from different part of dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

Abstract

This research was conducted to develop pastilles from different parts of dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus). Chemical analysis, physical analysis and sensory evaluation were carried out to determine the nutrient composition and panelist acceptance towards the product. Three samples of pastille were prepared from flesh and skin parts of red dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) weighed 450 g; whereby pastille from flesh, pastille from juice, and pastille from skin juice were developed using the same amount of flesh, juice and skin juice in each sample. The chemical analysis for dragon fruit was done between flesh and skin part showed that moisture and ash content was higher in skin while the same value obtained for water activity in both parts. The chemical analysis for pastilles showed that moisture content were ranged from 0.6 to 1.0; crude fiber content in range from 0.4 to 1.6 while same values which was 0.7 were obtained for water activity. 'L' and 'b' value were highest in pastille from skin juice while pastille from flesh had the highest value of 'a'. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) found for firmness in each sample. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was found for springiness in each sample. Results from first session of sensory evaluation which were done by 40 untrained panels showed that pastille from flesh were the most accepted than pastille from juice and skin juice. However, result in second session that involved 2 samples which were pastille from flesh and commercial; the most accepted pastille was pastille from commercial. Overall, pastilles from dragon fruit were well accepted by panelists. As conclusion, chemical analysis showed that fiber content in pastille from flesh was the highest. Pastille from juice has a highest value for firmness texture while pastille from skin juice has a highest value for springiness texture. Besides that, pastille from flesh had been accepted by panelist compared to pastille from juice and skin juice in sensory analysis.