ABSTRACT
I. INTRODUCTION The pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr. Syn. Ananas sativus (Chult.f.) is one of the most important commercial fruits of the world (1). It is widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics (Table 1). It is an important economic fruit crop in Thailand, the Philippines, China, Brazil, Hawaii, India, Mexico, and South Africa (Table 2). Most commercial production is used in processing. Pineapples are used as dessert fruits or for preparation of canned pineapple in the form of slices or rings, and in the preparation of juices and jams. The fruits are commonly used in fruit salad along with banana and papaya. Alcohol, calcium citrate, citric acid, and vinegar can be prepared from pineapple.
