The increase of the demand for products minimally processed brings a great challenge for the food science and technology, considering the shortage of information about the maintenance of the quality of those products. The storage of those products in appropriate conditions is a fundamental point for the success of such technology. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the active modified atmosphere on the quality and conservation of the 'Orange Flesh' melons processed minimally. The fruits, after the processing, were wrapped under modified atmosphere (Passive MA - Control, Active MA- with 5% of CO2 and 5% of O2 and Active MA with 10% of CO2 and 2% of O2), stored in a cold chamber (6 ± 1 ºC and 85 ± 5% RH) during 8 days and sampled for analyses of pH, total soluble solids, tritable acidity, total soluble sugars, firmness, total pectin, soluble pectin and pectinametylesterase and polygalacturonase activities every 2 days of storage. The variables firmness, total acidity and total pectin were not affected by the active modified atmosphere. However, smaller solubilization of pectins were detected in melons under atmosphere with 10% of CO2 and 2% of O2. Enzymatic activity was not detected in fruits from all treatments.
Cucumis melo; quality; fresh cuts
