Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia) quality grading at two storage temperatures

This study characterized the fruit quality attributes of commercially mature bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L. ‘Galaxy F1’) from harvest to end of shelf life during storage at 7-10 and 21-25°C to develop quality grading standards for research, education and industry use.
Quality at harvest was mainly determined by shape, size, uniformity of green surface color, and absence of defects that included yellowing (overmaturity) and preharvest damage due to insect pests, diseases and mechanical injury.
During postharvest storage, loss in quality was due to yellowing, water loss that resulted in turgidity loss measured as weight loss and degree of shrivelling and softening, and/or soft rot.
These quality changes occurred more rapidly at 21-25°C resulting in much shorter shelf life than at 7-10°C. Overall, the quality attributes were characterized using a scale for visual quality which was evaluated by a consumer panel.
The results provide valuable information for establishing a system of grade standardization and classification along the production-marketing continuum.

III Asia Pacific Symposium on Postharvest Research, Education and Extension: APS2014

A. Valida, F.R. Rivera, A. Salabao, M. Benitez, E. Sudaria, A. Acedo, J. Ekman

quality standards, grade classification, temperature effects

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2018.1213.42