CHARACTERIZATION OF CAROB FRUITS (Ceratonia siliqua L.), CULTIVATED IN SPAIN FOR AGROINDUSTRIAL USE

SUMMARY A knowledge of the physical characteristics of the carob pod and kernels is of great importance in their industrial use. This work provides contributions to knowledge of the Spanish carob tree population, based on the morphological characteristics of the carob pod and the yield of the kernels. To this end, Spanish regions in which the carob tree is cultivated were sampled. The total number of carob trees sampled was 182, located in the Balearic Islands and near the Mediterranean Coast. The results indicate a great similarity between Spanish carob pods and those of other Mediterranean countries, especially Italy and Cyprus. Correlating the different measurements obtained indicates that to achieve high yields of kernels and of carob gum, pods which are narrow and thin and/or kernels which are heavy, fat and short need to be harvested.