Abstract

CITRUS FRUIT PRODUCTS AND ITS USES

Gaurav Sainath Kale*, V. G. Rokade and L. D. Hingane

ABSTRACT

Citrus is a genus of flowering trees and shrubs in the rue family, Rutaceae. Plants in the genus produce citrus fruits, including important crops such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, pomelos, and limes. The genus Citrus is native to South Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, Melanesia, and Australia. The species resulting from this event include the citrons (Citrus medica) of South Asia; the pomelos (C. maxima) of Mainland Southeast Asia; the mandarins (C. reticulata), kumquats (C. japonica), mangshanyegan (C. mangsh anensis), and ichang papedas (C. cavaleriei) of southeastern China; the kaffir limes (C. hystrix) of Island Southeast Asia; and the biasong and samuyao (C. micrantha) of the Philippines. Brazil ranks among top ten citrus producing and exporting countries of the world with an annual production of 1.7 million tonnes from an area of 651.8 thousand hectares. Out of total production 95% is contributed from a single province i.e Punjab and Sargodha division is sharing almost 25%. The major part of our produce is exported after waxing as fresh commodity for dessert purpose and only a very limited quantity is processed in the form of fresh juice and other valuable products.

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