Palatability and nutritional significance of solar dried mangoes for Senegal.
Rankins J., Hopkinson S., Diop M.
Author Affiliation: International Food and Nutrition Center, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, USA.
Ecology of Food and Nutrition 23 : 131-140
Abstract : Three varieties of grafted mangoes were dried to a moisture content of 9 to 11% utilizing a greenhouse model solar dryer which measured about 4.5 mē and had a drying capacity of 20 kg of tray-ready mangoes. After 6 months of storage: retinol equivalents of ?-carotene and vitamin C contents of 100 g dried mangoes on average covered recommended dietary allowances for children; the Kent variety contained relatively substantial amounts of iron; and acceptability ratings for dried slices and desserts were generally good to excellent and were not influenced by the brightness and sweetness additives tested. These results have significant relevance for nutritionally at-risk populations in tropical Africa where mangoes are seasonally plentiful and popular but are wasted in large amounts because of the lack of appropriate preservation methods.