Abstract: This study investigated the effects of planting altitude, fruit development stage, fruit location, storage time, and heat drying on the naringin content in young Guanxi honey pomelo fruit as determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the purpose of exploring the optimal harvest time of young Guanxi pomelo fruit to be used for naringin extraction. The results showed that the content of naringin in young Guanxi pomelo fruit planted in the high-altitude area (668 m) was higher than that grown in the low-altitude area (40 m). Naringin contents in the albedo and flavedo decreased with fruit growth. The content of naringin in young fruit picked at the same time increased ceaselessly as the color changed from green to yellow during storage. Heat drying treatment significantly reduced the content of naringin in fresh young fruit. The young Guanxi pomelo fruit at stage I grown in the high altitude area had the highest naringin content after complete yellowing during storage, with values of 28.3% and 26.5% in the epidermis and albedo, respectively. This study provides an experimental basis for the preparation of naringin from young Guanxi pomelo fruit.

Key words: Guanxi pomelo young fruit; naringin; storage; dry