Properties and susceptibility of papaya (Carica papaya L.) in postharvest

Abstract

The papaya (Carica papaya L.) is an important crop due to its nutritious and medical properties and flavor. Therefore, an investigation was carried out for evaluating physical and chemical properties, as well as parameters of Post harvest fruit susceptibility. A sample fruit of Red Maradol variety was selected. The analyses were carried out in the laboratories of the Faculty of Chemistry – Pharmacy and in the Center for the study of Applied Chemistry, both located in the Central University "Marta Abreu" of Las Villas. The physical properties, weight of the sample, polar and equatorial diameter, and density, were determined. The chemical properties, total regular acidity, pH and total soluble solids (0Brix), were analyzed. The parameters of susceptibility, diameter and depth of the impacts, area and volume of bruise and the fruit susceptibility to the impacts, were also evaluated. Among the main reached results, stand out that the changes in the physical properties were not decisive in the postharvest. The chemical properties analyzed as total regular acidity, pH, and total soluble solids showed significant changes at postharvest phase. Finally, the parameters of susceptibility were increased in a significant way starting from the 6 days of postharvest.

Keywords

• quality
• papaya