36E-63 |
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P. BOONPRASOM, Dept. of Food Engineering/ Agro-Industry Faculty, Chiang Mai Univ., 155 Moo2 Mae-Hia, Muang District, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand Tangerine cv. Sai Nam Pung is an important citrus crop, has its area of concentration in Northern Thailand. The produces have recently gained much attention and are of great interest in Thailand since they represent a cash income in developing rural areas in the North. However, the postharvest losses of the produces on arrival at wholesale market in Bangkok are high. Our objective was to investigate factors affecting postharvest quality and losses of tangerines during truck transportation. Tangerines used in the experiment were harvested from three large tangerine growers in the northern area and transported via commercial truck from packinghouse in Chiang Mai to wholesale market in Bangkok. Fruit samples were packaged in three types of containers and placed in three different locations of the truck. Postharvest quality and losses, as indexed by fresh weight loss, unmarketable fruit, sensory evaluation, and changes in TSS, TA, pH, vitamin C, color, and respiration rate were evaluated at the packing house in Chiang Mai and on arrival at wholesale market in Bangkok. Fruits at harvest had significantly higher vitamin C than fruits at the wholesale market (p<0.05). Vitamin C decreased significantly as the temperature in the container increased (p<0.05). Packaging type had significant effect on weight loss percentage, unmarketable fruit percentage, and changes in TSS, pH, and color (p<0.05). Unmarketable fruit and weight loss percentage of fruit packaged in plastic basket was highest at 11.4% and 1.0%, respectively. Location of fruits on the truck significantly affected weight loss percentage and unmarketable fruit percentage. The Full Tealescope Half Slotted Container should be considered as an alternative means of tangerine transportation to prevent fruit injury and quality changes. The proper postharvest handling and the control of optimum environmental conditions should be paid attention to minimize posthavest losses and quality changes.
Session 36E, Fruit & Vegetable Products: General
2005 IFT Annual Meeting, July 15-20 - New Orleans, Louisiana |