Organoleptic Evaluation and Determination of Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) Quality Based on Flesh Samples Between Post-Harvest Day 4 and Post-Harvest Day 8

Abstract

Consumer demands for fresh fruit with enhanced health-promoting properties. Fruit qualities are usually evaluated by organoleptic properties; colour, odour, taste, touch, and texture. The initial sight of fruit is the first fruit evaluation made by consumers. However, this physical appearance does not represent fruit taste. Fruit organoleptic evaluation differs daily due to chemical changes happen during the ripening process which alters fruits’ physiology. Thus, this study aims to evaluate and determine the organoleptic properties of watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) between post-harvest day 4 and day 8. Watermelon flesh was cut into small portions and served fresh to 38 respondents on post-harvest days 4 and 8. The flesh quality was then evaluated based on the fruit’s aroma, colour and taste. The Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to analyse the data. By comparing the data from two consecutive days, the study showed that organoleptic evaluations of watermelon were significantly different in taste (post-harvest day 4; p=0.000) and colour (post-harvest day 8; p=0.002). However, no significant differences were observed in aroma (p=0.109). Organoleptic responses showed that watermelon on post-harvest day 4 has the best quality and most appealing taste compared to watermelon on post-harvest day 8.

Keywords

• watermelon
• post-harvest
• organoleptic evaluation