What comes as a relief for diabetics who love mangoes, a Pakistani scientist has created three types of sugar-free mangoes with a sugar content of 4 to 6%.
They were launched in Pakistani markets under the names Sonaro, Glenn, and Keitt after a scientific alteration by a mango specialist at M H Panhwar Farms in Sindh’s Tando Allahyar.
The usual variety of mango is not recommended for persons with diabetes because of its high sugar content.
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Ghulam Sarwar, M H Panhwar’s nephew and a mango specialist, told ARY News, %u201CThe Government of Pakistan had conferred Sitara-e-Imtiaz on Mr Panhwar for his research related to fruits including mangoes and banana. After his death, I continued his work and carried out modification after importing different genres of mangoes [from foreign countries] to test its growth in this atmosphere and soil.”
He stated the initiative is managed on a personal basis with no help from the administration and that their 300-acre farm has 44 mango types of various quality, including late, mid, and early varieties.
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According to Sarwar, he concentrated on developing innovative ways to extend the shelf life of the fruit, regulate sugar levels for diabetics, and enhance manufacturing in order to offer new varieties.
While varieties like Sindhri and Chaunsa have 12 to 15% sugar, he says that certain varieties on his farm only have 4-5% sugar.
“Keitt variety has the lowest sugar level up to 4.7 percent while Sonaro and Glenn have sugar level up to 5.6 percent and 6 percent respectively,” he told ARY News, adding that the mangoes’ pricing was kept within reach of the general public.
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The mangoes are presently selling for approximately Rs 150 per kilogram in Pakistani marketplaces.
