This work aims to evaluate the postharvest life of two types of sapodilla at ambient temperature and with or without modified atmosphere (PVC film packing). The experiment consisted in storing fruits, harvested at Embrapa´s (Agroindústria Tropical) Experimental Station located in Paraipaba, Ceará, Brazil, under ambient condition (24 ± 2ºC and 90 ± 5% U.R), on retail trays where half of these trays was wrapped in PVC and the other half, was not wrapped. Fruits of two types were evaluated for weight loss; pulp firmness; total soluble solids; titrable acidity; pH; total soluble sugars, reducing sugars and starch contents. Fruits stored under MA had less weight loss and greater reduction in pulp firmness when compared to those under AA. Decreases in acidity, soluble solids and total sugar contents and pH were found in both types of fruit during storage under both atmosphere conditions, as well as an increase in reduced sugars content. The type II fruits, had the longest post-harvest shelf-life.
Manilkara achras L.; quality; firmness; soluble sugars; total soluble solids; modified atmosphere (MA)
