Oranges are produced for internal market and export in
most parts of the world. About 20 per cent of the total
crop of oranges is sold as whole fruit; the remainder is
used in preparing orange juice, extracts, and preserves
(Microsoft® Encarta® Reference Library, 2002). Oranges
are highly perishable products, susceptible to bacteria
and fungal attacks. A number of measures are taken for
the storage and preservation; amongst these measures
are refrigeration of the fruits, extraction, concentration of
juice to about 4 or more times and dried concentrate
preparation. Fermentation of the fruit sugar and
formation of ethanol is another way of preservation and
preventing wastage of the citrus fruit during harvesting
(Afe, 1995; Fernando and Loreto, 1997)).