Articles
Effects of short shock MAP treatments on fresh-cut watermelon quality maintenance
Article number
1386_29
Pages
213 – 220
Language
English
Abstract
Fresh-cut watermelon quality maintenance is a challenge as processing induces an array of wound responses in the fresh-cut fruit tissue and accelerates senescence.
Short shock gas treatments utilising compounds known to reduce effects of ethylene, the plant hormone associated with senescence, can potentially lead to better maintained fresh-cut watermelon quality.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas (5 kPa), potassium permanganate (KMnO4)-based ethylene removal sachets, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas (250 µL L‑1) and their combinations were applied as 5-h shock MAP treatments on fresh-cut watermelon.
CO2 and CO2 with ethylene removal sachet treatments lowered respiration rates by 34 and 15%, respectively, compared with no shock treatments.
However, only shock treatments of KMnO4-based ethylene removal sachets better maintained appearance quality of fresh-cut watermelon, indicated by a lower trend of observable watersoaking symptoms after 9 days of storage.
H2S (250 µL L‑1) shock treatment increased endogenous ethylene production of fresh-cut watermelons by 150% compared to the no treatment control.
In a second experiment comparing short shock and continuous MAP of CO2 gas (7 kPa) and KMnO4-based ethylene removal sachets, there were no significant differences between the treatments on fresh-cut watermelon appearance, aroma and observable watersoaking symptoms.
CO2 gas (7 kPa) applied both as a shock or continuous MAP, and continuous application of KMnO4-based ethylene removal sachets reduced juice leakage of fresh cut watermelons in comparison with control samples after 8 days of storage.
These results indicate the potential of short duration MAP applications for maintenance of fresh-cut watermelon quality.
Short shock gas treatments utilising compounds known to reduce effects of ethylene, the plant hormone associated with senescence, can potentially lead to better maintained fresh-cut watermelon quality.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) gas (5 kPa), potassium permanganate (KMnO4)-based ethylene removal sachets, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) gas (250 µL L‑1) and their combinations were applied as 5-h shock MAP treatments on fresh-cut watermelon.
CO2 and CO2 with ethylene removal sachet treatments lowered respiration rates by 34 and 15%, respectively, compared with no shock treatments.
However, only shock treatments of KMnO4-based ethylene removal sachets better maintained appearance quality of fresh-cut watermelon, indicated by a lower trend of observable watersoaking symptoms after 9 days of storage.
H2S (250 µL L‑1) shock treatment increased endogenous ethylene production of fresh-cut watermelons by 150% compared to the no treatment control.
In a second experiment comparing short shock and continuous MAP of CO2 gas (7 kPa) and KMnO4-based ethylene removal sachets, there were no significant differences between the treatments on fresh-cut watermelon appearance, aroma and observable watersoaking symptoms.
CO2 gas (7 kPa) applied both as a shock or continuous MAP, and continuous application of KMnO4-based ethylene removal sachets reduced juice leakage of fresh cut watermelons in comparison with control samples after 8 days of storage.
These results indicate the potential of short duration MAP applications for maintenance of fresh-cut watermelon quality.
Authors
Y.Z. Lee, M.D. Wilson, T. Ross, R.A. Stanley
Keywords
Citrullus lanatus, minimal processed, shelf-life, ethylene removal, hydrogen sulfide
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