Physicochemical characteristics of selected palmyra Palm germplasm

Abstract

The palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer L.) is a climate-resilient, low-maintenance crop with significant nutritional and commercial importance. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of four locally available palmyra palm germplasm types -PP₁ (blackish-yellow), PP₂ (blackish-red), PP₃ (light-black), and PP₄ (deep-black) collected from Dumki Upazila, Patuakhali to identify the most promising variety. Significant (p ≤0.05) variation was observed among the germplasms in both physical and chemical attributes. PP₁ recorded the highest fruit weight (1513.50 g), while PP₂ exhibited superior juice yield (503.20 ml), pulp-to-peel ratio (7.28:1), total soluble solids (20.14%), total sugar (5.68%), titratable acidity (0.331%), carotene content (35.06 mg/100 g FW), and total phenolic content (9.28 mg GAE/g). In contrast, PP₃ showed the lowest values in most parameters. The combination of high nutritional content and favorable processing attributes identifies PP₂ as the most promising germplasm for both nutritional enhancement and commercial exploitation. These findings provide a scientific basis for selecting superior palmyra palm varieties to promote cultivation and value-added product development in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh J. Bot. 55(2): 419-425, 2026 (June)