Effect Of Sorting, Refrigeration And Packaging On Tomato Shelf Life

Abstract

In order to reduce horticultural produce losses, two Brazilian tomato varieties were submitted to post-harvest handling procedures combining sorting, refrigerated storage and different carton packages. These procedures were evaluated with respect to their effects on the produce shelf life. Studies were conducted to analyze coloration, firmness, flavour and weight loss changes in mature green tomatoes stored at 7°C, 13°C and ambient temperature (24°C). In general, after 9 days of storage, higher storage temperatures promoted higher sweetness and weight loss levels, as well as lower firmness. The study also included a comparison between some tomatoes held at 24°C for 9 days and a sample kept at 13°C for 22 days, showing that the produce from these storage conditions had fairly similar postharvest characteristic results. Although sorting and package factors affect some isolated characteristics, they did not seem to strongly influence tomato shelf life.417074Gayet, J.P., Bleinroth, E.W., Matallo, M., Garcia, E.E.C., Garcia, A.E., Ardito, E.F.G., Bordin, M.R., (1995) Tomate para Exportação: Procedimentos de Colheita e Pós Colheita, , Ministério da Agricultura, do Abastecimento e da Reforma Agrária, Secretaria do Desenvolvimento Rural, Brasília, DF, Brazil(2002) Production, 56. , Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. Rome, ItaliaCortez, L.A.B., Honório, S.L., Camergo, L.N.F., Moretti, C.L., Importância do resfiamento para frutas e hortaliças no Brasil (2002) Resfriamento de Frutas e Hortaliças, pp. 17-35. , Cortez, L.A.B., Honório, S.L. and Moretti, C.L. (eds). Embrapa Informaçã Tecnológica, Brasília, DF, Brésil(2002) Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops, , Kader, A.A. (ed) Publ. no. 3311. 3rd ed. Coop. Ext. Uni. of Ca, Davis, CA, USAMaul, F., Sargent, S.A., Huber, D.J., Balaban, M.O., Luzuriaga, D.A., Baldwin, E.A., Non destructive quality screening of tomato fruit using "eletronic nose" technology (1997) Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc., 110, pp. 188-194Hui, K.P.C., Forney, C.F., DeEll, J.R., Markarian, N.R., Vigneault, C., (2002) Manutention et Conditionnement des Petits Fruits Destinés Au Marché du Frais, , CRAAQ, Ste-Foy, QuébecHardenburg, R.E., Watada, A.E., Wang, C.Y., (1986) The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables and Florist and Nursery Stocks, , Handbook #66. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Washington, DC, USAVanegas, J.A.G., (1987) Fisiologia Pós Colheita de Tomate (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) Cultivar Ángela, , Faculty of Agricultural Engineering, Unicamp University, Campinas, SP, BrazilVegetables (1998) Refrigeration ASHRAE Handbook, , ChapASHRAE, Atlanta, GA, USATompson, J.F., Mitchell, F.G., Packages for horticultural crops (2002) Postharvest Technology of Horticultural Crops. 3rd Edition, pp. 85-96. , Kader, A.A. (ed.) Publication #3311. Coop. Ext. Uni. of Ca. Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Davis, CA, USAVigneault, C., Émond, J.P., (1998), Reusable container for the preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables. US Patent #5,727,711. Washington, DC, USA. USA Patent OfficeVigneault, C., Goyette, B., Design of plastic container openings to optimize forced-air precooling of fruits and vegetables (2002) Appl. Eng. Agric., 18 (1), pp. 73-76Sargent, S.A., Bender, R.J., Brecht, J.K., (1993) Grade Classification Affects Decay Susceptibility of Tomatoes, , University of Florida, Gainesville, Fl, USABleinroth, E.W., (1998) Quality of Horticultural Products, , Unicamp University, Campinas, SP, Brazil(1981) Physical Conditions in Cold Stores - Definitions and Measurement. Fruits and Vegetables, , Norm 67.2169. Int. Org. StandCarvalho, C.R.L., Mantovani, D.M.B., Carvalho, P.R.N., Moraes, R.M., (1990) Chemical Analysis for Food, , Unicamp University, Campinas, SP, Brazil(2003) Determination of Soluble Solids - Refractometric Method. Fruits and Vegetables Products, , Norm 67.2173. Int. Org. Stand(1998) Determination of Titratable Acidity. Fruits and Vegetables Products, , Norm 67.750. Int. Org. Stand(1991) Determination of pH. Fruit and Vegetable Products, , Norm 67.1842. Int. Org. StandBrecht, J.K., Sargent, S.A., Hochmuth, R.C., Tervola, R.S., Postharvest quality of Supersweet (SH2) sweet corn cultivars (1990) Proc. Fla. State Hort. Soc., 103, pp. 283-288Steel, R.G.D., Torrie, J.H., (1980) Principles and Procedures of Statistics: A Biometrical Approach. 2 nd Ed., , McGraw Hill Book Company, New York, NY, USAVigneault, C., Bordint, M.R., Abrahão, R.F., Embalagem para frutas e hortaliças (2002) Resfriamento de Frutas e Hortaliças, pp. 95-140. , Cortez, L.A.B., Honório, S.L. and Moretti, C.L. (eds). Embrapa Informaçã Tecnológica, Brasília, DF, Brazil(1995) HVAC Applications, , Chap. 43. ASHRAE, Atlanta, GA, US