Soil properties and enzymatic characterization of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) varieties in Kerala

Scientific Study from the year 2016 in the subject Agrarian Studies, , language: English, abstract: Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is commonly grown in home gardens of tropical and sub-tropical countries. The fruit contains high levels of carbohydrates, protein, starch, calcium and vitamins. The Artocarpus heterophyllus is believed indigenous to the Western Ghats of India. It is adapted only to the humid tropical and near tropical climate. The tree flourishes in rich deep soil of medium or open texture, sometimes on deep gravelly or laterite soil. In India they say that the tree grows tall and thin on sand, short thick on sandy land. Here the physical and chemical properties of soil from surrounding plots of different varieties of Arthocarpus heterophyllus have been analysed by using different technical methods and evaluating the effects of soil property on jackfruit nutritional quality. It was observed that there was a considerable difference in case of some minerals likes phosphorous, potassium, magnesium, zinc and manganese. Change in the soil pH also noticed. The pH also plays a major role in the sweetness of the jackfruit. The optimum pH of the amylase inside the jackfruit was found to be 6.2 to 6.8. The result shows that the soils that have higher pH have more sweet flakes. Proximate nutritional composition of the flake reveals the presence of protein, fat and fibre in a greater amount in some flake and these flakes were sweeter than the others. There was a much difference in the sugar level also. Increased protein, fat and fibre content found in flake of the trees that were growing in soil that have higher concentration of minerals. Further studies such as molecular studies, enzymatic studies should conduct to identify the whole variation among jackfruit in Kerala. Encouragements should be done to the marketing as well as value added food products from this underutilized fruit tree.

Dr. Prem Jose Vazhacharickal is currently working as an assistant professor in the Department of Biotechnology, Mar Augusthinose College, Ramapuram, Kerala, India. He received the research training and academic guidance from Prof. Dr. Andreas Buerkert, University of Kassel, Germany.