45F-17 |
Accelerated ripening of Maradol papaya (Carica papaya L.) with ethylene |
J. DE LA CRUZ, G. Vela, and H. S. Garcia. UNIDA, Instituto Tecnologico de Veracruz, M.A. de Quevedo # 2779, Col. Formando Hogar, Veracruz, Ver, 91897, Mexico The papaya (Carica papaya L.) is the most economically important fruit in the Caricaceae Family. Accelerated tropical fruit ripening by application of exogenous ethylene is a common practice in which climacteric fruits reach maturity and edible stage very rapidly. This method reduces handling costs, promotes homogeneous ripening and allows better programming to allocate produce at the most convenient time for marketing. Such advantages compensate for treatment costs. Our objective was to accelerate the ripening process of Maradol papaya by modified atmospheres containing ethylene so that the fruit develops a rapid and homogeneous maturity. Fruits were harvested to 1/4 of ripeness in Veracruz, Mexico; sorted for uniformity of shape, size and color, and cleaned. Fruit were divided into three groups; each group was exposed to atmospheres containing 100, 300 or 500 ppm ethylene for 8, 16 or 24 hours. A control group was not exposed to ethylene. Physical and compositional parameters, were measured during storage and ripening. All fruit in each group developed acceptable color both in peel as in pulp, as compared to control fruit; however fruit exposed to 500 ppm for 24 h were considered as best. This group developed values of soluble solids, textural firmness, color (Hue) of pulp and peel that were similar to those of control fruit after 6-7 days of normal ripening. Titratable acidity, pH values and reducing sugars were no different between treated and control fruit. Climacteric peak as measured by ethylene production was detected on the first day in fruit treated to 500 ppm for 16 or 24 h. This trend corresponded to elevated ACC oxidase activity during the first 3 days of storage, whereas control fruit displayed the climacteric on day 7. According to the composition of the fruit, ethylene treatment reduced ripening time from 7 to 3 days.
Session 45F, Fruit & Vegetable Products: Fruits (Fresh)
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