Effects of preharvest bagging on growth and quality of pitaya (Hylocereus undatus and Hylocereus polyrhizus) fruits after harvest
Nongnuch Soontornrujanawong, Vanee Chonhenchob, Chalongchai Babpraserth and Jitiporn Kruenate
47. Kasetsart University Annual Conference, Bangkok (Thailand), 17-20 Mar 2009, p. 727-734
2009
บทคัดย่อ
Effects of bagging and bagging periods on growth and quality after harvest of the white pitaya (Hylocereus undatus) and the red pitaya (Hyocereus polyrhizus) were studied. Pitayas were bagged with the white paper materials at different growth periods (10, 15, 20, and 25 days after full blossom) and compared with the non-bagged pitayas used as a control. Pitayas were harvested at maturity at 30 days after full blossom and evaluated on weight, skin defect, skin color, firmness, total soluble solids content (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), and ascorbic acid. The results showed that weight of the white and red pitayas bagged at 20 and 25 days were not significantly different (p LT= 0.05) from the control. Bagging could reduce skin defects in pitayas. The most appropriate bagging periods for the white and red pitayas was at 20 days after full blossom as it gave the highest weight and best skin appearance with fewer defects as compared to the other bagging periods and the control.