ABSTRACT
The common guava (Psidium guajava L., Myrtaceae) originated in tropical America. It is now grown throughout the tropics and subtropics and is of commercial importance in India, Florida and Hawaii (U.S.), Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, and the West Indies. 12 , 13 , 17 In India, the guava plant was introduced and distributed by the early 17th century. 10 At present, it is the fourth most important fruit crop of India and is being grown on an area of 58,230 ha, producing 200,000 M tons of fruit annually. 26 Much of the interest in guava cultivation has been due to its extremely high ascorbic acid content (up to 979 mg/100 g), 26 high nutritive value, ease of its culture, and the popularity of processed guava products, especially jellies and jams. However, the average ascorbic acid content of guava fruits varies from variety to variety and under different climatic conditions. The average content is approximately about 300 mg/100 g pulp.
