Scientific postharvest management and processing of citrus not only reduce postharvest losses but also create new economic opportunities for growers. Surplus and imperfect fruits, which would otherwise be discarded or sold at minimal prices, can be transformed into value-added products, ensuring better market realization. The ICAR-Central Citrus Research Institute (ICAR-CCRI), Nagpur, has made remarkable strides in advancing citrus-based product development, contributing significantly to India's fruit processing sector.
Maharashtra, a key player in citrus production, presents immense growth opportunities for value addition. However, despite India's rich diversity of citrus fruits, less than 5% undergo commercial processing, compared to 70–80% in developed nations. Recognizing this gap, ICAR-CCRI has pioneered the development and commercialization of an array of value-added citrus products and functional foods, aiming to boost farmers' incomes and promote sustainable utilization of citrus resources.
The institute has successfully developed a wide range of citrus-based products, leveraging the unique flavors and nutritional richness of mandarins, sweet oranges, limes, lemons, and pummelos. These include ready-to-serve beverages, carbonated drinks, energy drinks, sports drinks, squash, marmalade, jam, nutri-jelly, spray-dried powder, ice cream, candy, vitamin C-fortified jelly bites, and pastel gummies.
Many of these innovations have been transferred to citripreneurs and industry stakeholders, enabling small and medium-scale enterprises to adopt and commercialize them. By standardizing cost-effective processing techniques, ICAR-CCRI has facilitated the creation of novel citrus-based products with significant market potential, catering to both domestic and international consumers.
In addition to product development, ICAR-CCRI has played a pivotal role in valorizing citrus processing waste. Nearly 50-55% of citrus fruit mass, comprising peel, pulp, and seeds, is often discarded. However, these by-products are rich in bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, essential oils, dietary fiber, and trace elements.
The institute has successfully standardized advanced extraction techniques for obtaining high-quality essential oils, which have significant applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Innovative products such as nutrient-rich mandarin cubes, cookies from mandarin pomace, and pummelo peel-based candies have been developed to maximize resource utilization and minimize waste. Additionally, edible films derived from acid lime peel offer biodegradable packaging solutions, further contributing to sustainability.
Dr. Dilip Ghosh, Director, ICAR-CCRI highlighted that the institute has filed four patents for different value-added citrus-based products and is set to file two more patents, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge research and technological advancements in citrus processing. These products, designed for both economic viability and environmental sustainability, are available for licensing to food processing industries and foodpreneurs, providing lucrative opportunities for commercial-scale adoption. He also informed that by integrating citrus processing with foodpreneurship, ICAR-CCRI empowers farmers to become citripreneurs, reducing their dependence on volatile fresh fruit markets and enhancing economic resilience.
This transition strengthens regional citrus value chains, enabling growers to shift from being price-takers to price-makers, thereby ensuring financial stability and long-term sustainability. Dr. Ghosh further emphasized that citrus processing not only generates employment in rural communities but also drives demand in allied industries such as packaging, labeling, and logistics.
Dr. S. S. Roy, Principal Scientist, ICAR-CCRI emphasized that the health-conscious consumer market is set to benefit from innovative, nutrient-rich citrus-based products, fostering healthier food choices while simultaneously supporting the domestic citrus industry. With strategic investments in postharvest management, efficient processing technologies, and sustainable waste utilization, ICAR-CCRI is steering the citrus sector towards greater economic and environmental sustainability, ensuring long-term benefits for growers, processors, and consumers alike.
