Possibility of artificial ripening of Mazafati date fruit (Phoenix dactylifera L.)
M.H. Shamshiri
Proceedings of 26th International Horticultural Congress. Volume of Abstract . Toronto, Canada, 11-17 August, 2002. Abstract S20-P-91. pp. 521.
2002
บทคัดย่อ
To deternime the effects of postharvest treatments on ripening and quality of date fruits, ethephon, sodium chloride, acetic acid and their combination were applied to Mazafati date fruita in our study. Fruit of the Mazafati date cultivar were harvested at the end of khalal stage and immediately after harvest, fruits were washed and treated with ethephon (0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 ppm), acetic acid (2%), sodium chloride (2%) or a combination of the last two compounds (acetic acid 2% + sodium chloride 2%). Fruit were dipped in ethephon and sprayed with the other compounds. Treated fruit were stored at 38-40 c and RH=85 to 90% for 72 hrs and then transferred to cold storage (T=0 0C and RH=85 to 90% for 72 hrs and then transferred to cold storage (T= 0 0C, RH=85 to 90%) for 3 months. Ethephon significantly increased TSS proportionally to the concentration of ethephon. Sodium chloride, acetic acid both at 2% and their combinations significantly increased TSS, reduced fruit firmness and moisture content of the fruit. Treated fruits after 3 months of storage had very good taste and appearance.