Abstract:
This research was conducted to develop pastilles from different parts of dragon fruit
(Hylocereus polyrhizus). Chemical analysis, physical analysis and sensory evaluation
were carried out to determine the nutrient composition and panelist acceptance towards
the product. Three samples of pastille were prepared from flesh and skin parts of red
dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) weighed 450 g; whereby pastille from flesh, pastille
from juice, and pastille from skin juice were developed using the same amount of flesh,
juice and skin juice in each sample. The chemical analysis for dragon fruit was done
between flesh and skin part showed that moisture and ash content was higher in skin
while the same value obtained for water activity in both parts. The chemical analysis for
pastilles showed that moisture content were ranged from 0.6 to 1.0; crude fiber content in
range from 0.4 to 1.6 while same values which was 0.7 were obtained for water activity.
'L' and 'b' value were highest in pastille from skin juice while pastille from flesh had the
highest value of 'a'. There was significant difference (p < 0.05) found for firmness in
each sample. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was found for springiness in
each sample. Results from first session of sensory evaluation which were done by 40
untrained panels showed that pastille from flesh were the most accepted than pastille from
juice and skin juice. However, result in second session that involved 2 samples which
were pastille from flesh and commercial; the most accepted pastille was pastille from
commercial. Overall, pastilles from dragon fruit were well accepted by panelists. As
conclusion, chemical analysis showed that fiber content in pastille from flesh was the
highest. Pastille from juice has a highest value for firmness texture while pastille from
skin juice has a highest value for springiness texture. Besides that, pastille from flesh had
been accepted by panelist compared to pastille from juice and skin juice in sensory
analysis.
