Organic Acid Profile of “Batuan” (Garcinia binucao [Blco] Choisy) Fruit

Abstract

“Batuan” fruit (Garcinia binucao [Blco.] Choisy), an indigenous acidulant grown in the Visayas State University, Baybay City, Leyte was analyzed for its organic acid profile at different stages of maturity for the development of potential food and non-food products. The analysis of organic acid content was done using Reverse Phase-High Performance Liquid Chromatography. Organic acids in the dried, powdered “batuan” fruit samples were extracted with the mobile phase (50mM KH2PO4/ H3PO4, pH2.8). The sample extracts and organic acid standards (oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, and succinic acid) were injected to RP-HPLC under isocratic elution with the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1.0mL min-1 and using UV-vis detection at 210nm. “Batuan” fruit samples contain oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, and a few unidentified organic acids. Among the organic acids present, citric acid accumulated the highest in the ripe “batuan” fruit; fumaric acid, the least.

Results of this study show that “batuan” fruit could be a good natural source of acidulant for food and non-food applications.