STUDIES ON KOKUM (GARCINIA INDICA CHOISY), AN UNDERUTILIZED ANTI-OBESITY FRUIT TREE OF WESTERN GHATS OF SOUTH INDIA

Kokum (Garcinia indica) is one of the most important indigenous and underexploited trees of tropical rain forests of the Western Ghats of South India. The fruit rind of kokum is of commercial importance. The fruit is the major source of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which is the principal acid of Garcinia indica. The fruit rinds of kokum are used as a garnish to give an acid flavour to the curries and also for preparing syrup during hot months. Because kokum is an underexploited fruit crop in the said area, surveys were made in Western Ghats region to explore the fruit’s genetic resources and its processing potential as different value added food and industrial products. The survey was done in April and May, 2006 and 2007 in the States of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa. The product processes were standardised for the preparation of dried kokum, salted kokum, and drained kokum syrup.