CHANGES PHYSIOLOGICAL, TEXTURAL, PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND MICROESTRUCTURAL OF THE TREE TOMATO (<I>Cyphomandra betacea</I> S.) AT POSTHARVEST

Abstract

Tree Tomatoes harvest ripening degree are evaluated each day in order to determine the evolution of different postharvest characteristics. Respiratory rate behavior allows the identification of the fruit as a no climacteric product, with an optimum ripening time and consumption of 10 days after harvest. The fruit shows a mass loss for transpiration between 8 and 10% when the optimum ripening stage was reached. Chemical and physical characteristics present a total soluble solids increase, a decrease of the acidity values, a decrease of firmness. The color of the epidermis and pulp shows an increase of the yellow and red chromaticity, which combination exhibit an orange like color, being this effect greater with the ripening development.

Keywords

• Tree tomato (Cyphomandra betacea S.)
• respiration
• posharvest
• firmness
• colour