Effects of different temperature treatment on quality and shelf-life of Solo Papaya (Carica papaya L.) Fruits

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2013-04-21
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An experiment was conducted to assess the effects of heat treatment on the quality and shelf-life of solo papaya fruits. The experiment was conducted at the laboratory of the Department of Horticulture, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in August, 2011.Mature green fruits were obtained from papaya farms in Darbaa in the Atwima Nwabiagya District in the Ashanti Region. A Completely Randomised Design with three replications was used for the study. Three different treatments namely (i) T40 - fruits exposed to 40oC for 20 minutes, (ii) T50 - fruits exposed to 50oC for 20 minutes and a control (no exposure to high temperature) and stored under ambient condition. From the results, T40 recorded the highest cumulative weight loss of 11.72%10 days in storage. Significant differences in total soluble solid (P<0.05) were observed among the treatments with T40and T50having total soluble solids (TSS)of 8.5oBrix at colour stage 5 respectively. Significant differences in total titratable acidity (TTA) were recorded among the treatments with T40 and T50 fruits recording the highest TTA of 0.73at colour stage 2 respectively. Treatment T50 fruits recorded the longest shelf life of 8 days, followed by those of T40 (7 days) and control (6 days). The study has shown that heat treating Solo Papaya fruits at 50oC for 20 minutes is sufficient to delay ripening and extend shelf-life. This would allow sufficient time for transportation and marketing.
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A Thesis Submitted to the School Of Research and Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Postharvest Technology,
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