Study on how to improve the quality of citrus industry products in the north of Iran (west Mazandaran)

The annual production of "Siavaraz"a native variety of orange cultivated in west Mazandaran province , has been estimated to be 600,000 tones. This variety with low quality characteristics is not suitable for fresh consumption, resulting in considerable wastes. In order to solve this problem, some concentrated orange juice factories have been established in the province, without enough knowledge about the quality of the native orange. This has caused some problems, especially for exports, leading to suspension or stagnation of these industries. The aim of this research project has been to evaluate the quality of Siavaraz orange variety as compared to the world proposed variety for processing, and also to evaluate the main product (concentrated orange juice or COJ) and its important by- product, i.e. pulp or dried waste in the factories. To evaluate Siavaraz native orange for 2 years (1994-95) samples were taken from factories and also from 4 regions including Roodsar , Ramsar , Tonekabon and Noshahr- Chaloos in west Mazandaran province. Many physical and chemical experiments were carried out on Siavaraz oranges followed by physical, chemical and sensory evaluation of samples of COJ, orange juice and pulp. Results showed that the quality of the native samples of orange was not suitable. Samples of COJ had also low quality comparing with the similar product in the world market. As the undesirable quality of COJ produced by the actories in w. Mazandaean is mainly because of unsuitable raw materials of the region, it is recommended that the native variety be replaced gradually by orange varieties suitable for processing, with different ripening times (early ripe, middle ripe and late ripe). If the region is suitable for orange cultivation, the farmers should be supported by the government, financially. Other effective quality factors, e.g. technical knowledge, expert and trained personnel, although less important, have also effects on improving the quality. One major problem is low capacity of the factories, which makes the application of complementary technology, high skilled personnel and research and development laboratories economically impossible. For example utilization of a debittering system which is also able to reduce acidity can improve the quality of the products from existing raw material. Establishment of a well-equipped research center, organizing management and technical workshops to promote the technological knowledge and establishing and maintaining a high capacity blending system for all factories in order to have consistent products, can help to improve the quality of the products.