Jujube and Loquat - Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Postharvest Physiology, Processing and Packaging - page 578

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Jujube and Loquat

Muhammad Siddiq and Mark A. Uebersax

INTRODUCTION
Jujube and loquat are mainly grown in subtropical re-
gions. Major areas of production for these two fruits are
in Asia, with smaller production elsewhere. Though these
two fruits, as compared to major tropical and subtropical
fruits, are lesser known, nonetheless they are significant
in local economies where they are produced. Both fruits
are generally consumed in the fresh form. Any processed
products from jujube and loquat are mostly indigenous,
with processing and consumption around centers of pro-
duction. Loquat has a potential to be exported to nonpro-
ducing countries, if appropriate packaging can be applied to
ensure food safety and longer shelf life. This chapter covers
production, postharvest physiology and storage, nutrition,
and processing aspects of jujube and loquat.

tivars have been selected while wild jujubes also grow in
many parts of China. Chinese jujube seedlings were in-
troduced into Europe over 1,500 years ago and became
widely distributed in the Mediterranean region. From Eu-
rope, jujube seedlings were brought to the United States in
1837; however, it was not until 1908 that some of the im-
proved Chinese selections were introduced in Florida and
California (Lyrene and Crocker, 1994). It is to be noted that
this fruit has not gained much economic significance in the
United States.
Nutritionally, the jujube fruit has a high sugar content and
high levels of vitamin A, C, and B complexes; phosphorus;
and calcium. Jujube fruits are consumed mostly fresh and,
to a lesser extent, as dried or other processed forms (jams,
loaf, cakes, jelly, etc.) in the area of its production (Pareek
et al., 2009). Jujube is an underutilized crop throughout the
world, despite the fact that this tree is relatively easy to
grow and maintain.

JUJUBE

Introduction
Jujube ( Ziziphus spp.), also known as “ber” in India and
Pakistan, belongs to the Rhamnaceae family and contains
about 40 species. Jujube is distributed mainly in tropical and
subtropical parts of the world (Mukhtar et al., 2004; San
and Yildirim, 2010). Chinese jujube ( Ziziphus jujuba )and
Indian jujube ( Ziziphus mauritania ) are commercially cul-
tivated types. Chinese jujube is mainly cultivated in China
and, to a lesser extent, in Russia, Korea, and parts of south-
east Africa. Indian jujube (Fig. 31.1) is cultivated in India,
Pakistan, Iran, Lebanon, and in some African countries
(Pareek et al., 2009). Chinese jujube has been cultivated
throughout China for more than 4,000 years. Over 400 cul-

Production and varieties
The jujube is a small, deciduous tree that can grow up to
40 feet tall. Dwarf (bush-type) varieties are cultivated in
some parts of the world. One cultivar, 'So,' seems to be
fairly dwarfing in habit; after 30 years of growth, trees
can be 30 feet tall with a crown diameter of up to 15 feet
(CRFG, 1996). Jujube tree, a naturally drooping type, has
often thorny branches that grow in a zigzag pattern. Jujube
cultivars vary in size and conformation, with some being
very narrow in habit while others are more widespread
(CRFG, 1996).