The purpose of this study was to evaluate the post harvest quality and shelf storage of 'Tainung 01' papaya fruit stored under different refrigerated temperatures. The fruits were from a commercial cultivation in the district of Baraúna-RN-Brazil. The fruits were storied in cold rooms at 8º, 10º and 12ºC ± 1ºC and 90 ± 5% RH during the period of 7, 14, 21 e 28 days. After each period, the fruits were put at environmental conditions (20º ± 1ºC 60 ± 5% RH) where was simulated a shelf life period for seven days. Then, the papayas were analyzed in relationship to the external and internal appearance, coloration of the skin, mass loss and pulp firmness. The best evaluation for quality maintenance and increase the post harvest usefue life of the ' Tainung 01' papaya was observed in the fruits submitted to 10°C, 90 ± 5% RH up to 20 days, with good extern and interns appearance (notes above 3,0), development of the yellow coloration in the skin, firmness of superior pulp of 20 N and loss of mass of 7%. The submitted fruits at 8°C and to 10°C, 90 ± 5% RH developed symptoms of chilling injury after 21 days of storage, becoming worse with the extension of the storage. In the storage to 12°C, 90 ± 5% RH an accelerated ripening was observed with aqueous softening of the pulp starting from 28 days. On the 35th day, the fruits were inapt for consumption having great incidence of Colletotrichum gloeosporioides.
Carica papaya L.; controled temperature; conservation
