ISHS Acta Horticulturae 343: Physiological Basis of Postharvest Technologies
RESPONSES OF SOME TROPICAL FRUITS TO INSECTICIDAL ATMOSPHERES |
| Author: | E.M. Yahia |
| Abstract:
Physiological and biochemical responses of mango, papaya and avocado fruits to atmospheres that have potential as insect quarantine treatments (≤ 0.5% O2 and ≥ 50% CO2) were evaluated. Avocado fruit were very sensitive, mango fruit were very tolerant, and papaya fruit were intermediate in their level of tolerance for such extreme atmospheres. Insecticidal atmospheres resulted in changes in glycolytic and tricarboxylic acid cycle activities and slightly increased the activity of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) and pyruvate decarboxylase (PDC) in mango, but caused no fruit injury nor detrimental organoleptic changes after exposure for up to 5 days. Papaya developed decay and off-flavors, and had increased activity of PDC and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) after 2 days of treatment. Avocado developed injury, had increased production of ethanol and acetaldehyde, had increased activity of anaerobic enzymes, and had decreased concentration of 3 glycolytic intermediates after one day of exposure to these atmospheres. Because of the differences in their responses and level of tolerance, these 3 fruits could serve as excellent systems to study the basis of fruit tolerance to modified and controlled atmospheres. | |
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