CONSUMER PREFERENCES TOWARDS PINEAPPLE CULTIVARS IN MALAYSIA
Pineapple was among the priority crops to be developed under the Third National Agricultural Policy (1998-2010), which emphasized both fresh produce and processed products.
Research undertaken by MARDI had produced a number of pineapple cultivars for both purposes.
This study was conducted to evaluate consumer preferences towards some of the cultivars that are in the market.
The results of this study would provide important input in future breeding work for cultivar development.
A survey was carried out in the Klang Valley involving 234 respondents.
Four pineapple samples were provided for the respondents.
These samples consisted of Maspine, Josapine, Morris and MD-2 and the respondents in evaluating the samples, gave scores from 1 (least preferred) to 5 (most preferred) on specific attributes of the samples.
Generally, the respondents preferred MD-2 followed by Josapine, Morris and Maspine, with mean scores of 4.38, 4.10, 2.67 and 2.63, respectively.
Higher consumer preferences towards
MD-2 were due to its aroma (4.38), sweetness (4.26) and colour (4.25) while Josapine scored less in all the attributes that were listed, with aroma (4.14), sweetness (4.04) and colour (3.95). Even though Maspine and Morris were less preferred by consumers, both of these cultivars had higher scores in crunchiness. Between Maspine and Morris, consumers scored Maspine higher on colour and juiciness attributes while Morris scored higher on the crunchiness attribute.
Based on the findings of this study, attributes that contributed to higher overall scores were aroma, sweetness and the colour of MD-2 was evidently preferred.
Researchers should produce improved pineapple cultivars with MD-2 as a benchmark in the development of future cultivars for fresh consumption.
Syahrin, S. (2011). CONSUMER PREFERENCES TOWARDS PINEAPPLE CULTIVARS IN MALAYSIA. Acta Hortic. 902, 595-599
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.902.79
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.902.79
DOI: 10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.902.79
https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2011.902.79
consumer preferences, pineapple cultivars, 'MD-2', 'Josapine', 'Morris', 'Maspine'
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