Abstract

*Ramya, Chinmayi V. S., Chandra M.

ABSTRACT

White dragon fruit, also known as pitaya or Hylocereus undatus, is native to California. It has pink outer skin, white fleshy pulp, and small black seeds. Chocolate made from sugar, cocoa butter, and cocoa solids is known as dark chocolate. The percentage of cocoa in it is higher. The increased health benefits come from ice cream made with dragon fruit and dark chocolate. For the development of dragon fruit-based dark chocolate ice cream, 50% dark chocolate and the dragon fruit (Hylocereus undatus) were utilized. The ice cream has distinct health benefits, and can consume the dragon fruit and dark chocolate safely. The protein, acidity, and solid nonfat content of the ice cream's proximate analysis were examined. The sensory evaluation and shelf life were analyzed up to  three weeks, using  20 panel members. Also the antioxidant, minerals and ash test, different properties of dragon fruit were analyzed. The aim of the present investigation was the development of dragon pulp-based ice cream with commercially available dark chocolate to provide a safe consumption of ice cream and in a aspect of health benefits.