TURNING AGRICULTURAL WASTES TO WEALTH IN NIGERIA: A REVIEW OF CASHEW (Anacardium occidentale L.) PEDUNCLE (APPLE) POTENTIALS

Authors: *Akinnibosun F.I, Oyetayo A.M

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

Cashew is a tropical tree of immense potentials which produces the popular cashew nuts with cashew apple as important pseudofruit. The apple is juicy and highly rich in vitamin C, phytonutrients, sugars and dietary fibre. It may be considered as a nutraceutic fruit. However, in spite of all the huge potentials of this fruit, it is still underutilized due to some negative characteristics such as astringent taste, high acidic content and high perishability. The apple may be processed into many products such as: cashew apple juice, syrup, wine, alcohol, dietary fibre and animal feed. In Nigeria, there are inadequate technologies and skills in the value addition of the apple and post-harvest handling of this fruit leading to wastage of this highly useful agricultural product. Several studies have described methods of improving the shelf-life of the fruit and removal of the objectionable constituents like tannins. However, more researches are still needed in the possibility of converting the apple to biofuel and animal feed. Farmers also, should be educated on the potential of cashew apple processing. This will lead to more returns for the farmer and may cause a great industrial revolution in the cashew industry in Nigeria.

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