Physicochemical attributes of dried pomegranate (Punica granatum) arils as affected by cultivar

A comparative study of the physicochemical attributes of dried pomegranate arils from three pomegranate cultivars (‘Acco’, ‘Herskawitz’ and ‘Wonderful’) was conducted. The hot-air drying experiment was carried out at 60°C, with 19.6% relative humidity and an air velocity of 1.0 m s^‑1. Dried pomegranate arils of each cultivar were assessed for colour, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, and pH. The results showed that desirable quality attributes of the investigated dried pomegranate arils were cultivar dependent. The TSS, TA and pH were in the ranges of 16.3-21.0 °Brix, 1.23-1.50 (% citric acid) and 3.36-3.85, respectively. ‘Wonderful’ had the highest a* value while ‘Acco’ had the least. Furthermore, the values of aril colour intensity (C*) varied markedly among the cultivars; the highest and the least colour intensity were found in ‘Wonderful’ and ‘Acco’, respectively.