PICKING TIME AND POSTHARVEST COOLING EFFECTS ON PEACH WEIGHT LOSS, IMPACT PARAMETERS, AND BRUISING

Abstract

ABSTRACT Fruit handlers need better methods to extend shelf-life and thus expand their alternatives to provide high quality fresh peaches. This study investigated the effect of picking time (morning vs. afternoon) and various cooling and storage treatments. The treatments included: hydrocooled and stored in 4 C (39 F)/93% RH air, stored in 4 C (39 F)/93% RH air, stored in 6 C (43 F)/68% RH air, and no cooling, i.e., stored at 23 C (73 F)/50-60% RH air. Other independent variables were stage of ripeness and time in storage. During a two-week period after harvest, measurements were made of fruit weight loss, drop impact parameters, and bruise diameter resulting from a single 15 cm (5.9 in.) drop impact. Impact parameters determined were contact time, peak force, time-to-peak force, absorbed energy, and skewness of the force versus time curve. Results confirmed the beneficial effects of cooling and high air humidity on quality.

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