Influence of storage period and temperature on the postharvest characteristics of six melon (Cucumis melo L., Inodorus Group) cultivars
Vito Miccolis and Mikal E. Saltveit
Postharvest Biology and Technology Vol: 5 Issue: 3 Pages: 211-219.
1995
บทคัดย่อ
Six inodorus melon cultivars (Cucumis melo L., Inodorus Group, Naud., cv. Amarelo, Golden Casaba, Honeydew, Honey Loupe, Juan Canary, and Paceco) were harvested at horticultural maturity and evaluated for quality traits during three weeks of storage at 7, 12 and 15°C plus three days at 20°C. The soluble solids content did not change significantly during storage. Firmness of the pulp tissue declined during storage for all cultivars, but there were no significant differences among storage temperatures within a cultivar. Carbon dioxide production decreased during storage for all cultivars. Ethylene increased during storage, but at different rates for each cultivar. Weight loss was under 3% after three weeks of storage at 7 or 12°C, but it was around 4% for melons stored at 15°C. Storage temperature had no significant effect on the external appearance of `Honeydew' and `Golden Casaba', but other cultivars developed symptoms of chilling injury either during storage or during the subsequent three days at 20°C. Pitting and increased decay appeared first in susceptible fruit stored at 7°C and later for fruit stored at 12 and 15°C.