บทคัดย่องานวิจัย

หมวดหมู่ : ฐานข้อมูลงานวิจัย

Postharvest treatments allow Brazilian growers to export tomatoes to Mercosul countries

Celso Luiz Moretti , Leonora M. Mattos, Joesse M.A. Teixeira, Waldir A. Marouelli and Washington L.C. Silva

Proceedings of the 26th International Horticultural Congress and Exhibition. Toronto, Canada, August 11-17.

2002

บทคัดย่อ

Postharvest Treatments Allow Brazilian Growers to Export Tomatos to Mercosul Countries

Shipping tomatoes to distant markets in the MERCOSUL area is a great challenge for Brazilian growers planning to export their product, since once fruit ripen they become more prone to mechanical damage, reducing commercialquality. Delaying ripening can be a useful technique to maintain quality throughout the transportation.This work was carried out to investigate the ability of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) to extend the shelf life of tomatoes at the pink stage. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit, cultivar Carmem, an extended shelflife variety (ESL), were harvested at the pink stage at commercial fields in Goianapolis, Goias, Brazil. After harvest, fruit with no external blemishes were graded for weight (250+-5g) and diameter (6+-0.5 cm), and treated with coconut grease (applied to the stem end), wrapped in plastic films (coextrused Polyolephin), 1-methylcyclopropene (1000 ug.kg ) , and control. Fruit were stored for 10 days under refrigerated conditions (10+-0.5 oC; RH 90-95%) and every 2 days were analyzed for total soluble solids, firmness weight loss and color (L*a*b*). It was verified that the fruit weight loss increased during the storage period. Fruit storaged under modified atmosphere showed less weight loss compared to other treatments. Treatment with 1-MCP delayed fruit softening, at the end of the storage period, and treated fruit had a firmness 50% higher than control fruit. 1-MCP significantly delayed chlorophyll degradation and concomitant synthesis and revealation of carotenoids pigments. At the tenth day, 1-MCP treated fruit had a predominant green color when compared to other treatments. Soluble solids content was not significnatly affected by the different postharvest treatments. It is suggested that tomato fruit, treated at the pink stage with 1-MCP, can be successfully exported from Brazil to any other country in the MERCOSUL, considering a trip up to 10 days.