Degreening and cold storage of ‘Murcott’ tangor as function concentration and exposure time to ethylene

Abstract

Degreening treatment has been applied in traditional countries exporters and consumers of fresh citrus to improve rind color of fruit cultivated in regions that no shown low temperature during maturation. In Brazil, this technique is performed empirically, without control of application conditions and fruit shown low extern quality. This study was carried out with the objective to determinate conditions to the technique of postharvest degreening of ‘Murcott’ orange, involving the application of exogenous ethylene. The concentrations 5 and 10 mL L-1 of ethylene was applied inside the chamber for 96 and 120 hours at 25oC and 90% RH. After treatments fruit were stored at 5°C during for 30 days, and after that, plus 3 days at 25ºC. Fruit were evaluated in four periods: after harvest; after degreening treatment, after cold storage and after 3 days at 25°C (simulated marketing). The variable analyzed were: skin color, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), ratio (SS/TA), ascorbic acid, percentage of juice, chlorophyll and carotenoids content, chlorophyllase activity, respiratory rate and ethylene production. The treatments did not affect the soluble solids, titratable acidity, ratio, percentage of juice and ascorbic acid content. Fruit treated with ethylene showed increase of color index concomitant by higher chlorophyllase activity and lower chlorophyll content. There were no differences in the carotenoids content in the periods evaluated. Fruit treated with ethylene at both concentrations had higher ethylene production, whereas the dose of 10 mL L-1 favored the incidence of decay. Ethylene 5 mL L-1 for 96 hours is enough to trigger the process of degreening ‘ Murcott’ tangor and can be used to improve skin color of this cultivar.