Physiology, biochemistry and conservation of bananas and guavas at high concentrations of O2 combined with CO2 and N2O

Author(s)

Thales Sandoval Cerqueira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Escola Superior de Agricultura Luiz de Queiroz (ESALA/BC)
• Defense date: 2012-07-06

Examining board members

Angelo Pedro Jacomino; Benedito Carlos Benedetti; Adonai Gimenes Calbo; Ricardo Alfredo Kluge; Giuseppina Pace Pereira Lima

• Advisor: Angelo Pedro Jacomino

Abstract

Atmospheres with high O2 levels and N2O enriched atmospheres have been suggested as an alternative to the atmospheres of low O2 and high CO2. Fruit storage under atmospheres with high CO2 for a long period may develop physiological disorders. In addition, there is not enough information about the effects of high O2 concentrations on fruits oxidative metabolism. N2O is a gas present on nature, non-toxic described as a powerful antagonist to production and action of ethylene. This work aimed to study the influence of controlled atmosphere with high O2 concentrations, associated or not to CO2 and N2O on the physiology, oxidative metabolism and post-harvest behavior of bananas and guavas. Bananas Nanicão and guava Kumagai were treated under continuous flow system. The fruits were placed into chambers under flow of 200 mL min-1. All treatments were maintained in a chamber with controlled temperature of 22°C. The humidity around the fruits was kept at 95% UR. It was quality evaluated CO2 and ethylene production and enzyme activity. The high O2 accelerated the onset of senescence in both fruits. However, differences were observed between the banana and guava, banana anticipated the occurrence of the climacteric peak by changing all the variables related to maturity. The main effect observed over guavas was the loss of peel green color. Probably, the observed responses are related to oxygen effect on ethylene and antioxidant capacity of banana and guava. When the O2 was associated with high CO2 and N2O was also observed an anticipation of the beginning of senescence, but differences were observed between CO2 and N2O treatments. The high O2 associated with CO2 prevented the occurrence of fermentative processes even at the highest concentrations of CO2. The N2O associations with high O2 do not increase postharvest life too. On the other hand, the N2O associations with low O2 allow delay ripening process. In relation to oxidative metabolism at high O2 banana triggered accumulation of reactive oxygen and consequent change in the activity of enzymes involved, differing from guava in which the levels remained low throughout storage. This is probably due to differences in the antioxidant activity of these fruits and which is considerably higher in guava. Keywords: High oxygen; Nitrous oxide; (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 08/04265-0 - Controlled atmosphere in Guavas and Bananas conservation
• Grantee: Thales Sandoval Cerqueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate