Effect of length of peduncle on the quality of solo papaya fruit during ripening

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2012-12-02
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Abstract
Papaya (Carica papaya L) is an important fruit crop for both its fresh and processed products.However it faces myriads of problems during harvesting,transportation and storage due to its high perishability. A study was carried out to compare the fruit ripening behaviours and quality of three (3) different lengths of peduncle of solo papaya fruit. Mature green fruits were harvested at random from a commercial orchard in the Atwima Akropong in the Ashanti region of Ghana. During ripening, data on various physico- chemical characteristics including fruit firmness, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, visual peel and pulp colour, pH, sugar: acid ratio and shelf lifewere monitored in two days interval up to nine (9) days. Under ambient conditions all the fruits took seven days to ripen, however, the 2cm peduncle length fruit was more acceptable, colour change and pH, which indicates its potential for extended shelf life. Lower total soluble sugar, were also observed in the 2cm peduncle fruit for the study period which can be advantaged for extended storage which included the 1 cmlength and for sugar conscious consumers.The study also provided an understanding of the potential of the different peduncle lengths for the domestic and export markets for papaya fruits as it was discovered that both the 2cm and 1cm peduncle lengths offered better shelf life than the 0.5cm peduncle length. The study showedthat fruit meant for distant markets should be harvested with 2cm or 1cm peduncle length because they will give longer shelf life than the 0.5 cm peduncle fruit.
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A Thesis submitted to the Department of Horticulture Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Partial fulfilment of the requirement for the Degree of MASTERS OF SCIENCE, POST HARVEST TECHNOLOGY, FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE June 2012
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