Respiration rate of Golden papaya stored under refrigeration and with different controlled atmospheres

FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Respiration rate of Golden papaya stored under refrigeration and with different controlled atmospheres

Derliane Ribeiro Martins; Nayara Cantarino Barbosa; Eder Dutra de Resende^*

Northern Rio de Janeiro State University/Food Technology Lab., Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000 - 28013-602 - Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ - Brazil

ABSTRACT

Knowledge of the respiration rate during the storage is important in the evaluation of the post-harvest tools that preserve fruit quality, and also for the provision of information for the development of new packages. This work aimed to evaluate the respiration rate of 'Golden' Carica papaya stored under refrigeration and controlled atmosphere conditions. The fruit was kept at 13 °C in controlled atmospheres comprising three levels of O₂ (20.8 %, 6 %, 3 %) with a minimum level of CO₂ (0.1 %); and three levels of CO₂ (0.1 %, 6 %, 12 %) with the lowest level of O₂ (3 %). Measurements were taken at intervals of 5 days during the 30 days of storage. The mass loss and the peel color of the fruits were identified at the end of the storage period. The fruit maintained under 'normal' atmosphere conditions (20.8 % O₂ and 0.1 % CO₂) increased its respiration rate after the 10^th day, reaching after 30 days 4.3 times the initial value. After 30 days in 3 % O₂, the respiration rate was 2.9 times less than in the normal atmosphere. The decrease in respiration rate minimized the mass loss in fruit stored at 3 % O₂, but it was unaffected by increasing levels of CO₂.

Keywords: Carica papaya, cold storage, modified atmosphere, ripening, mass loss

Introduction

Papaya fruit (Carica papaya L.) has a restricted storage time due to rapid pulp softening and fungal growth. It is a climacteric fruit whose respiratory rate and ethylene production increase considerably after harvest. In tropical climates, papaya loses its quality rapidly and its storage is limited to seven days (Paull et al., 1997). During the storage of papaya, biochemical reactions promote changes in respiratory rate, mass loss, chlorophyll breakdown, production of carotenoids in the skin, and loss of firmness (Abou Aziz et al., 1975).

The respiration rate is more affected by storage temperature, O₂, CO₂ and ethylene levels, than by the influence of the ripening process of fruits (Mahajan and Goswani, 2001). The lowering of O₂ levels interferes with the oxidation reactions in the respiratory chain and minimizes or inhibits the synthesis of ethylene. The increase in CO₂ levels interferes with the activity of Krebs cycle enzymes, and reduce fruit metabolism (Kader, 1987). Under limited oxygen conditions, the enzymes pyruvate decarboxylase and alcohol dehydrogenase metabolize pyruvate to produce ethanol and CO₂ (Taiz and Zeiger, 2010).

Generally, fruits stored under aerobic conditions show a respiratory quotient (RQ) between 0.7 and 1.3 depending upon the substrate being used predominantly in the biochemical process (Kader and Ben-Yehoshua, 2000). In contrast, under anaerobic conditions there is a higher RQ. The respiratory quotient is an indicative parameter of the activation of anaerobic pathways (Saquet and Streif, 2002).

Golden papaya may present quality problems when kept in O₂ concentrations below 3 %. An increase in CO₂ concentration to 15 % preserves chemical components in the pulp, but adequate conditions for acceptance of the product requires an atmosphere of 3 % O₂ and 6 % CO₂ (Martins and Resende, 2013).

The measurement of the respiration rate is necessary for an understanding of the behavior of fruit stored under controlled or modified atmosphere conditions, thereby providing information for the selection of appropriate packaging for the fruit. We found no studies in the literature on the respiration of papayas under different controlled atmosphere conditions. We determined the respiration rate of Golden papaya kept under refrigeration at 13 °C in concentrations of O₂ decreasing down to the minimum level of 3 %, and increasing CO₂ levels up to the limit of 12 %. The product was also evaluated with regard to mass loss and changes in peel color.

Materials and Methods

Golden papayas were selected in a packing house located in a commercial orchard in Linhares (state of Espirito Santo, Brazil, 19.3908^o S, 40.0719^o W). Fruits were harvested with approximately 15-25 % of yellow peel color and an average weight of 350 g, washed in chlorinated water (0.1 mL L ^{- 1} active chlorine) and treated in a hydrothermal bath (48 ºC / 20 min) followed by immersion in a fungicide (Prochloraz) solution for 2 min. The fruits selected were packed in corrugated cardboard boxes, stored at 12 °C and transported under refrigeration to the laboratory where the experiments were conducted, beginning 36 h after harvest.

The papayas were stored in small chambers containing perforated shelves used to support the fruits. All these materials had been previously cleaned with hypochlorite solution (0.2 mL L ^{- 1} of active chlorine) and sterilized for 48 h by a gas-producing mixture (0.5 L of 50 % formaldehyde, 0.5 L of water and 250 g of potassium permanganate). Before storage, the fruits were selected, weighed and evaluated for peel color using a Hunter colorimeter.

The empty air space inside the chambers was calculated by the difference between the total volume of the chamber (102.85 L), the volume of the shelf (0.65 L) and the volume of fruit assessed after the determination of mass and density of a significant sample of papayas of the same standard format and maturation stage. Density was obtained by calculating the correlation between fruit mass and volume of distilled water displaced by immersing the fruit in a calibrated beaker.

Thirty fruits were stored in each chamber and kept under refrigeration at 13 °C and 85-95 % RH (CLIMASUL, Brazil). The homogeneity of the atmospheres was maintained by a small fan positioned in the upper side of the chambers. The gas levels were set at decreasing O₂ levels (normal atmosphere or 20.8 %, 6 % and 3 %) with 0.1 % CO₂ and also at the lower O₂ level (3 %) with increasing CO₂ level (0.1 %, 6 % and 12 %). These gas concentrations were defined according to Martins and Resende (2013) who suggested the best conditions for the storage of Golden papaya.

The atmospheres were set up by flushing with N₂ and CO₂ at the beginning of the storage period until the required gas levels were obtained. The O₂ and CO₂ concentrations were controlled by flushing with nitrogen gas and adding CO₂. The levels selected were kept constant by scrubbing off excess CO₂ produced by respiration and adding air for O₂. Gas concentrations were monitored daily using computerized analyzers with paramagnetic (O₂) and infrared detection (CO₂). Ethylene adsorption was achieved by pumping the air through a permanganate sorption column.

Mass loss was measured after 30 days of storage under controlled atmosphere conditions using an electronic balance, with measurements normalized to 100 g of fruit. Peel color was recorded with a Hunter colorimeter with measurements taken at two equidistant points of the equatorial portion; on the side of the fruits that were exposed and not exposed to sunlight. The results were expressed by the Hunter L, a, and b parameters.

Respiration rate was assessed every five days, taking direct measurements of the concentrations of O₂ (paramagnetic sensor) and CO₂ (infrared sensor) after suction of samples of air from the chambers. During the measurements, the control parameters of injection of O₂ and N₂, as well as CO₂ and ethylene adsorption were disabled for a period of 5 h, allowing for five measurements of gas concentrations. The linear data fitting allowed for the determination of respiration rate in % kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}. These values were corrected on the basis of the gas volume in the empty space of the chamber to determine the rate of respiration in mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}, according to Equation 1as follows:

in which R_resp is the rate of O₂ consumption or CO₂ production (mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}), Δ_% represents the variation of the O₂ concentration or CO₂ over time (%), Δ_t is the time interval used for gas concentration (h) measurements, m is the mass of fruits inside the chamber (kg) and V_ev is the volume of void space in the chamber (mL).

The experimental design was completely randomized for each treatment, comprising 30 fruits per treatment with two replicates. The results of mass loss and fruit color were interpreted by simple statistical analyses, and the data were compared by confidence intervals applying Student's t-test (p < 0.05). The samples were dimensioned for an infinite population of papaya fruits considering the probability of p < 0.05 and 10 % deviation around the sampling media. The respiration rate results were interpreted by regression models of the data and their coefficients of determination using the statistical SAEG software (SAEG, 2007, version 9.1).

Results and Discussion

Evaluation of peel color and fruit mass loss

The fruit prior to storage had a lower luminosity (Hunter L), a lower yellowness index (Hunter b), and negative values of Hunter a (typical of a green color) (Figure 1). The values of Hunter L and Hunter b on the fruit side exposed to the sun were smaller than on the unexposed side (Figure 1A and 1B). In the analysis of the Hunter a parameter, a trend for the lower values on the fruit side exposed to the sun emerges (Figure 1C). These results are consistent with those described by Vitorazi et al. (2011) for the variation of the peel color of Golden papaya as affected by exposure to the sun during its ontogeny in the plant.

Fruits stored for 30 days under controlled atmosphere conditions with minimum levels of CO₂ (0.1 %) had color patterns typical of ripe fruits when kept in an atmosphere of 20.8 % O₂ or 6 % O₂, with average values of 65.63 (± 1.18) and 35.11 (± 0.75) for the Hunter L and Hunter b parameters respectively (Figure 1A and 1B). This is consistent with the color scale of Golden papaya in the ripe stage, as described by Oliveira et al. (2002), with average values of Hunter L equal to 64.20 (± 2.04) and Hunter b equal to 32.19 (± 1.22). Ripening is retarded in an atmosphere containing the lower level of O₂ (3 %), even in an atmosphere containing 0.1 % CO₂, as indicated by small values of Hunter a (Figure 1C). The increase in CO₂ level in chambers with 3 % O₂ also promotes a slowing down in the ripening process. Fruits stored in an atmosphere with 3 % O₂ and 12 % CO₂ presented the smaller values of Hunter b (Figure 1B) and Hunter a (Figure 1C).

Mass loss was reduced markedly when the O₂ level was set at the lower value in atmospheres with the minimum level of CO₂ (0.1 %) (Figure 2). However, a trend of reduction of mass loss was detected when the O₂ concentration was changed from 20.8 % to 6 % O₂, with average values of 4.70 % and 4.16 %, respectively. A reduction of 64 % (p < 0.05) in mass loss occurred when the atmosphere was changed from 20.8 % to the minimum concentration of O₂ (3 %) and, under these conditions; increased CO₂ concentrations did not affect mass loss, with average values of 1.71 % (Figure 2).

Mass loss in Golden papaya reached 9.17 % when stored at 10 °C and 90 % RH for a period of 32 days under ambient conditions (Pinto et al., 2006). Mass loss is directly related to the loss of water, with loss of quality associated with worse appearance and texture. In Golden papaya, mass loss follows zero-order kinetics at a constant rate during storage due to the resistance of the peel to water permeability (Pinto et al., 2006).

Respiration rate

Golden papaya kept in different controlled atmosphere conditions for 30 days at 13 °C increased its respiration rate during the storage period, characterizing its climacteric behavior. During the first 10 days of storage, the fruits kept in different atmospheres showed low values of respiration rate, typical of pre-climacteric behavior. However, this respiration rate progressively increased in fruits kept in an atmosphere with 20.8 % O₂ and 0.1 % CO₂, reaching CO₂ production of 33.18 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}, representing an increase of 76.6 % in the respiration rate, approximately 4.3 times the initial value, after 30 days of storage (Figure 3). The reduction in O₂ concentration to the limit of 3 % promoted a decrease in respiration rate in atmospheres with the minimum level of CO₂ (0.1 %). In this case, the respiration rate was reduced by approximately 66 % (2.94 times) of the value in a normal atmosphere, after 30 days of storage (Figure 3).

In an atmosphere with the lower O₂ level (3 %) an increase in respiration rate was also observed through the 30 days of storage under refrigeration. Even in an atmosphere with the higher CO₂ level (12 %), the CO₂ production reached 11.29 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}, representing an increase of 53 % in relation to the value at the beginning of storage (Figure 3). In this way, even under conditions of cold storage, the use of atmospheres with higher levels of O₂ allows for increases in the respiration rate and consequently, a faster fruit ripening, as indicated by higher values of the Hunter peel color parameters at the end of the storage period (Figure 1). On the other hand, reducing the O₂ level to 3 % produces a lower respiration rate, providing a slower ripening and with the possibility of a significant increase in the storage time.

The measurements of O₂ consumption showed similar behavior to that observed for the rate of CO₂ release, with values of the same magnitude under different controlled atmospheric conditions. The decrease in O₂ consumption is highlighted when the level of O₂ in the chambers is changed from 20.8 % to 3 % O₂, under the minimum level of CO₂ (0.1 %), especially at the end of storage (Figure 4).

Under conditions of low O₂ content (3 %), increasing the CO₂ level in the chambers (up to 12 %) produces only a small decrease in the rate of O₂ consumption. This means that, under conditions of refrigeration at 13 °C and low content of O₂, the use of atmospheres containing high concentrations of CO₂ (up to 12 %) had a negligible effect on reducing the respiration rate of papaya. However, in an atmosphere containing 3 % O₂ and 12 % CO₂, O₂ consumption reached its lowest value at the end of 30 days, when compared to other treatments in controlled atmospheres. This result explains the slower ripening process of the fruits, as indicated by the smaller value of the Hunter a parameter (Figure 1C).

In Sunrise papaya stored in ambient conditions there is an increase of CO₂ production after the 4th day after harvest, varying from 5 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1} to approximately 45 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1} by the 10^th day of storage (Paull and Chen, 1983). Papaya cultivars, however, have quite distinct respiratory patterns, and the Sunrise variety reaches a maximum respiratory rate on the 4^th day of storage under ambient conditions (approximately 50 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}), while other cultivars (RL-1-3 and RL-1-120) show an increase in respiration only at the 10^th day after harvest, reaching levels around 30 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1} (Zhang and Paull, 1990).

The highest rate of CO₂ production in Golden papaya (approximately 60 mg kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}) occurs on the 4^th day of storage at ambient conditions (Fabi et al., 2007). In fact, both the Golden papaya and the Sunrise Solo present the highest rate of CO₂ emission at the fourth day of storage (approximately 25 mg kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}) under ambient conditions, but the respiratory rate reaches its highest level during the senescence stage (Fonseca et al., 2006). Nevertheless, Golden papaya kept in ambient conditions shows a small decrease in the respiration rate immediately after harvest, but from the 3^rd day on there is a trend of increasing CO₂ production, mainly in fruits harvested in the early stages of ripening, reaching 31 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1} after the ripening (Bron and Jacomino, 2006).

Fabi et al. (2007) observed that the CO₂ production of Golden papaya kept at ambient temperature (25 °C) reached 60 mg kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1} by the 4^th day of storage. In the present experiment, the respiration rate of fruits kept under refrigeration and ambient atmosphere conditions (20.8 % O₂ and 0.1 % CO₂) starts to increase on the 10^th day of storage, with CO₂ production varying from 7.62 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1} to 33.18 mL kg ^{- 1} h ^{- 1}, by the 30^th day. This means that the cold storage is responsible for slowing the ripening process by reducing the magnitude of the respiration rate as well as increasing the time required to start the climacteric respiration.

The reduction in the oxygen level has a notable influence on decreasing the respiration rate of cultivars of apple (Malus domestica) stored at 1 ^oC, with a much stronger effect as compared with an increasing level of CO₂ in the storage chamber. The rate of CO₂ production is decreased more prominently in atmospheres with O₂ concentrations below 5 %, and most cultivars show their lowest respiration rate at concentrations of 1.5 % O₂. In atmospheres with oxygen levels below this concentration, an increase in respiration rate is observed due to anaerobic respiration (Saquet and Streif, 2002).

The respiration rate of banana (Musa spp.) is less influenced by increasing levels of CO₂ in storage (Heydari et al., 2010). In the same way, the reduction of the respiration rate of mango, orange and green banana is little influenced by the CO₂ level. This is attributed to the fact that higher levels of CO₂ can act as competitive inhibitors of the O₂ intake for the enzymatic reaction, both leading to a reduction in the respiration rate as well as in energy supply for the physiological process (Kole and Prasad, 1994). The CO₂ concentration can reduce or inhibit the synthesis of ethylene, depending on the gas level in tissue, time of exposure, storage temperature and variety of the fruit (Rothan and Nicolas, 1994; Mathooko, 1996)

Conclusions

Golden papaya stored under refrigeration (13 °C) in a 'normal' atmosphere increases its respiration rate after the 10^th day of storage. In an atmosphere with the minimum level of O₂, the respiration rate is reduced to approximately 66 % (2.94 times) of the value in normal atmosphere, after 30 days of storage. The CO₂ levels had a very small influence on reducing the respiration rate of papaya fruits stored under refrigeration in an atmosphere of 3 % O₂. The decrease in the respiration rate minimized the mass loss in fruits stored at 3 % O₂, but it was unaffected by increased levels of CO₂. The changes in peel color were influenced by decreasing levels of O₂ as well as increasing levels of CO₂.

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge FINEP (Brazil) and FAPERJ (Brazil) for financial grants, and CNPq and CAPES (Brazil) for the research grants, and also the Caliman Agrícola Company for the use of its facilities.

Received October 09, 2013

Accepted March 21, 2014

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Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  01 Oct 2014
• Date of issue
  Oct 2014

History

• Received
  09 Oct 2013
• Accepted
  21 Mar 2014