POSTHARVEST BEHAVIOR OF ILAMA (Annona diversifolia) FRUITS AT EDIBLE MATURITY STORED IN A MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE

Abstract

The ilama fruit or papausa (Annona diversifolia Saff.) has high commercialization potential, but this is limited due to its high perishability, edible maturity at harvesting, and its responses to technologies focused to extend shelf life are unknown. The objective of the work was to evaluate the effect of using modified atmospheres (MA) on the postharvest quality of ilama fruits at ripe maturity stored at 20 ºC. Two treatments were evaluated during a period of 9 d: storage in MA with low density polyethylene of 33 mm thickness, and storage in natural air (NA). Fruits of MA had 91 % less weight loss and higher firmness values (1.2 N) than those of NA. The respiratory activity had an average value of 97.1 mL kg^‑1 h^‑1, without difference between treatments. There was not difference either in contents of acidity, total soluble solids and total sugars, whose average values were 0.20 %, 17.9 ºBrix and 17.6 %, respectively. However, reducing sugars content, which varied between 4 and 10 %, had the highest values in material handled in MA. The modified atmosphere proved to be useful for reducing weight losses and softening rate of ilama fruits, thus allowing longer postharvest storage periods.