The present study aimed to evaluate postharvest technologies and quality of fruits produced on noble melons exporting farms located in the Agricultural Pole Mossoró-Assu, in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil. Gália 'Solar King', Cantalaupe 'Torreon', Charentais 'Aura Prince', and Orange Flesh 'AF-1749' melons were analyzed regarding the following quality aspects: loss of weight, internal and external appearance, firmness, titulable acidity, pH, soluble solids, and sugars. The fruits were evaluated on the 0, 7th, 14th, 21th, and 28th day of storage refrigeration. The period of transport was simulated by storing the fruits under the same conditions of temperature and relative humidity of transport. It was concluded that the melons exporting farms use high level postharvest technological to maintain the fruit quality of these melon cultivare which present low postharvest resistance. However, it was noted by the high firmness and low of soluble solid values that the fruits are harvested when still immature. During the evaluation of external and internal appearance, it was observed that on the 28th day the fruits could still be commercialized although reaching the acceptance limit due to some flaws such as spots, depressions, and damage which can be reduced with a more appropriate fruit handling.
Cucumis melo; storage; external market; postharvest shelf life
