Quality profile and consumer preferences for apple guava (Psidium guava L.) grown in South Cotabato Philippines

Apple guava or guapple as it is more popularly known, is an underutilized fruit with huge market potential because of its nutritive value and ease of culture. To enhance market access of the fruit, a value chain analysis should be done which is important in addressing major technology-related constraints. In this regard, a focus group discussion and consumer survey with 20 respondents were initially conducted to understand consumer preferences and quality attributes desired for apple guava. Based on the survey, most consumers buy guava for its nutritional quality (34%). Apple guava was generally obtained from roadside stalls and fruit stands (56%) where it is easily accessed when choosing which to buy, consumers prefer decay or damage-free (16%), fresh (15%) and crunchy (15%) fruits. These qualities, according to the survey respondents, are not always achieved and thus contributes to purchase disappointment. To have a better understanding of the quality of apple guava available in the market, quality profiling of fruits shipped from South Cotabato to Divisoria, Manila [Philippines] was done. Causes of fruit rejection include insect damage and fruit fly infestation (16.23%), presence of diseases like scab, anthracnose and stem-end rot (6.32%), mechanical damage (3.37%) and fruit deformation (1.73%). Fruits classified as good for market(72.35%)were subjected to hot water treatment (HWT) of 47 degC, 50 degC, 53 degC for 5 and 10 min and 60 degC for 1 min to determine if the development of anthracnose and stem-end not could still be reduced even with a 5-day delay in the application of HWT. The results of the preliminary experiment showed that HWT 5 days after harvest did not significantly control disease. Further study needs to be done to determine the proper timing of HWT to control diseases, and therefore reduce losses in the guava value chain.