The present work was carried out to check the physiological, qualitative and microbiological alterations of minimally processed squash (Cucurbita moschata) cv. Canhão submitted to different cut types (middle-circle, cube and shred). Minimally processed squash was stored at 5ºC and 85-90% relative humidity during 12 days. A completely randomized experimental design with four replicates of one package was used. Respiratory rate of the three cuts ranged from 3.2 to 7.5 mL CO2 kg-1 h-1. The cut in cube and shred showed higher ethylene production (4.05 and 3.82 µL C2H4 kg-1 h-1, respectively). The shredded squash showed undesired qualitative alterations, as higher weight loss (2.66%), decrease in soluble solids amount, acid ascorbic and carotenoids. Besides, this cut increased growth of psychotropic bacteria. The cube and middle-circle cuts showed best results in relation to the physical, chemical and physicochemical analysis and psychotropic bacteria amount, when compared to the shred cut. No coliforms or Salmonella growth was observed during storage of the cut types.
Cucurbita moschata Duch.; ascorbic acid; carotenoids; respiration; ethylene; microbiology
