The use of gamma radiation aiming to postharvest conservation of Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melo L. var. Cantaloupensis)

Author(s)

Alessandra Aparecida Zilio Cozzo de Siqueira

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: Piracicaba.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Centro de Energia Nuclear na Agricultura (CENA/STB)
• Defense date: 2007-06-27

Examining board members

Julio Marcos Melges Walder; Valter Arthur; Gerson Antonio Groppo; Érika Maria Roel Gutierrez; Ricardo Alfredo Kluge

• Advisor: Julio Marcos Melges Walder

Abstract

Although brazilian fructiculture has been growing in the international market, the fruit quality and the postharvest technology have not been improved properly. In Brazil, fruit nutritional factors are very important because of their potential to provide suitable nutrients for a significant part of the Country population. Some postharvest technologies, such as ionizing radiation, can keep the physical, chemical, nutritional and sensorial characteristics of the natural fruit, improving the quality of the fruits in the market. This work evaluated the effects of Cobalt 60 irradiation in Cantaloupe melon, aiming the postharvest conservation during 7 days of storage, at a temperature ranging from 20 to 22C. The doses of irradiation were set to 0, 150, 300, 450, 600, 750 and 900Gy, based on the multiple of 150Gy quarantine dose, aiming to establish the lowest, the highest and the ideal doses. Afterwards, physical, chemical and nutritional characteristics of irradiated fruit were checked and, finally, the sensorial characteristics through acceptability test. Results indicated that the doses higher than 450Gy affected firmness, pulp yield and color (L e a*) parameters. Nevertheless, analyzing physical, chemical and nutritional parameters, doses of 450 and 900Gy kept pH, tetrable acidity, soluble solids, color (a* and b*), chlorophyll and carotenoids, phenolic compounds, respiratory rate and ethylene level. The storage period was the most important factor that affected the quality of the fruit, despite of the radiation doses. Based on the acceptability test, the best evaluated fruits were from the treatments of 450 and 900Gy. This work allowed toconclude that fruit radiation is an appropriate technology for Cantaloupe melon post harvest conservation, but it is necessary to be used in combination with other technologies, especially to fungi control (AU)