Ultraviolet-C Radiation on Psidium cattleyanum L. Conservation and Its Influence on Physico-chemical Fruits Characteristics
T. F. Acosta
Eliseu Maciel Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
L. O. Marques
Eliseu Maciel Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
I. C. Nardello
Eliseu Maciel Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
R. Navroski
Eliseu Maciel Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
P. C. Mello-Farias *
Eliseu Maciel Faculty of Agronomy, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The present study aimed to evaluate UV-C radiation influence on physicochemical and phytochemical characteristics of yellow cherry guava fruits.
Study Design: The staining data obtained were submitted to analysis of variance (ANOVA), being the results compared with each other by the test of Tukey (P = .05). The other data were submitted to the ANOVA (P = .05), and when there was a significant difference, the means were compared by the Hartley Test (P = .05).
Place and Duration of Study: The study was developed in March 2017 at Palma Agricultural Center and Post-Harvest and Fruit Quality Laboratory at LabAagro, at Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel).
Methodology: Psidium cattleyanum fruits near the maturity point were harvested in the orchard. The fruits were divided into a completely randomized design, with four treatments, which had four replicates composed of fifteen samples each. Evaluations and UV-C radiation were performed at intervals of four days from zero to 12 d, being two minutes the exposure time of the fruits to UV-C radiation in each application, fruits were stored in a cold chamber at 4°C temperature and relative humidity of 85-90%. The variables analyzed were skin colour, fruit length, fruit diameter, soluble solids (SS), initial fruit weight, final fruit weight, mass loss, hydrogen ionic potential (pH) and titratable total acidity.
Results: UV-C radiation usage did not significantly interfere with the physicochemical characteristics of the evaluated yellow cherry guava fruits.
Conclusion: The use of UV-C radiation associated with cold-chamber storage maintained fruit quality for a period significantly longer compared to storage at room temperature.
Keywords: Yellow cherry guava, native fruits, post - harvest, UV C -, cold storage