BioMatNet Item: FAIR-CT97-3894 - Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica): a new European fruit crop for production of novel juice, flavour and fibre

FAIR-CT97-3894
Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica): a new European fruit crop for production of novel juice, flavour and fibre

Contacts
Website: www.hvf.slu.seleu/chaenomeles/EUCHAmain.html
Further Information

To find similar Items, click on a keyword below:
Crops for Fine Chemicals : Crops for Flavours/Fragrances : Essential Oil : FAIR Area 1.2 - Green Chemicals and Polymers Chain : Fibre : Fine Chemicals : Flavours/Fragrances : Plant Genetics : Protein/Amino Acid : Sugar

	Type of Project	Shared Cost
	Contract No	FAIR-CT97-3894
	Total Cost
	EC Contribution
	Start Date
	Duration	48 Months

Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica): a new European fruit crop for production of novel juice, flavour and fibre

Objectives

The general objective of the project is to develop Japanese quince (Chaenomeles japonica) to a competitive European industrial multipurpose crop for production of juice, flavour and fruit fibre. Japanese quince is a dwarf shrub with interesting potentials. The fruits are yellow, aromatic and rich in juice and fibre. They are too firm and acid to be consumed fresh, but useful after processing.

The specific objectives of the project are:

To diversify agriculture/horticulture by introducing and developing Chaenomeles (Japanese quince to a new fruit crop, unique to Europe;
To investigate the agronomic, biological and economical potentials of Chaenomeles as a fruit crop for sustainable production of juice, flavour, fragrance, dietary fibre, pectin and seed oil;
To improve the quality of the fruits and products from Chaenomeles through selection of varieties, optimising of processing methods and product development;
To develop a rational production chain from plant to finished product based on economic viability and the preservation of the environment.

Technical Approach

The work plan comprises four issues: Crop optimisation, Chemical characterisation, Processing and products, Market and economy.

Crop optimisation concentrates on plant breeding and cultivation. The focus is on improvement of the crop through selection of varieties and development of methods for propagation. Thereby fruit quality and yield can rapidly be increased. The issue crop optimisation also covers fundamental genetic and biological tasks that will help to establish breeding know-how and long term breeding strategies.

Chemical composition focus on the variability of organic acids, sugars, peel volatile and aromatic substances, fibres including pectic polysaccharides and seed oil that are the main important compounds contributing to the economic value of the crop.

Processing and products include the obvious: juice, flavour and fibre and the potentials: fragrance and seed oil. Especially we will concentrate on the adaptation of environmentally safe processes and explore the potentials for development of high-quality of food and non-food products with existing and new technology in co-operation with the industry.

During the course of the project knowledge will accumulate that make it possible to estimate costs and total economy. Costs for propagation, cultivation, harvest and processing will be considered. Furthermore a study on environmental impact will be included. Samples of new products will be tested on the market to evaluate customer preferences and market potentials.

The project issues linked together will thus provide full information for decisions on the direction of activities promoting the introduction and further development of Chaenomeles as a competitive fruit crop.

Expected Results

Crop optimisation

An estimate of genetic and morphologic variation of different characters for genotypes in domesticated and natural populations of Chaenomeles species
Descriptors for UPOV guide-lines suggested.
A core collection for long-term preservation as a genetic resource established.
Flower biology investigated
Breeding techniques developed
Breeding strategies for short and long perspective set up
Survey of plant pathogenic fungi
Advanced selections in comparative trials
Methods for efficient vegetative propagation developed
Growth characteristics and yield estimated
Planting and sustainable cultivation systems developed
A mechanic weeding equipment for cultivation of Chaenomeles

Chemical composition

Fruit organic and determined
Fruit sugars determined
Dietary fibre as well as soluble dietary fibre and insoluble dietary fibre determined
Fruit pectic polysaccharides characterised
Volatile and non-volatile flavour components determined
Seed oils determined
Screening methods for selection on biochemical characters developed

Processing and Products

Optimised methods for processing/extraction of fruits to: juice, flavour and fragrance, fibre including pectin and seed oil
Products for test of consumer preferences and market potentials developed

Market and Economy

Total economy and profitability in the production system estimated, including market and environmental impact analysis

Results To Date

Organic acids and volatile components have been determined in fruits of Chaenomeles
An efficient in vitro method for vegetative propagation of Chaenomeles has been developed
A mechanic weeding prototype has been developed specifically for Chaenomeles

Contacts

Coordinator

Viktor TRAJKOVSKI / Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Balsgaard - Dept of Horticultural Plant Breeding / SWEDEN

EC Scientific Officer

Adelmo MOREALE / European Commission DG VI Agriculture BELGIUM

Participant