2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Cooperative research project is to strengthen the cooperation between the US Citrus & Subtropical Products Laboratory and Siam University (Postharvest Technology Institute) in a collaborative effort to conduct research on tropical fruits, vegetables and their products including U.S and Thai varieties of carambola, lychee and dragon fruit for identification of phenolic compounds, and mangosteen, durian and jackfruit for flavor compounds. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) The parties agree jointly to explore and coordinate research activities of mutual interest which will be implemented by mutual understanding and in conformity with the regulations and policies of both parties. To this end the parties agree to assign such members of its staff as may be agreed upon to assist in identifying projects of mutual interest, as well as aid in planning and implementing research activities; jointly develop and facilitate projects which may involve resource contributions such as exchanges of scientific personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, labor, funds and other items necessary to support collaborative research activities as mutually agreed upon. Determination of phenolics will be done using ORAC or other assays and identification of compounds using GC and LC-MS. 3.Progress Report This project is related to Objective 1 of this in-house project: To evaluate fruit and fruit product flavor quality. Tropical exotic fruits are becoming popular in the U.S. due to immigrant populations from tropical regions such as Asia. Samples of exotic tropical fruits lychee, longan, dragon fruit and red guava purees were analyzed for aroma volatiles and the data for tropical fruits being organized into databases. Cooperator from Thailand, is planning to visit the ARS facility in August to discuss organization of this data into publications. This work will help to better understand the flavor properties of these exotic fruits, to better store, handle, process and market them. MONITORING: Progress was monitored by emails and meetings when cooperator is visiting.