Post-Harvest Conservation of Papaya “Formosa Tainung 01†Conditioned under Different Packaging Systems

This study aimed at evaluating the efficiency of different storage conditions on lengthening the post-harvest useful life of papaya “Formosa Tainung 01†. The fruits were harvested at ripening stage 2, pre-cooled, conditioned in nylon/polyethylene bags, polyamide bags and in polyamide bags with sachets of KMnO4. They were later stored under a refrigerated condition (10 ± 1ºC and 90 ± 5% R.U.) for a period of 20 days and evaluated every 5 days of refrigeration, followed by 24 hours under room conditions. The analyses included mass loss and firmness, peel coloration and chlorophyll amount, titratable acidity, pH, total soluble solids, total soluble sugars, reducing sugars, ascorbic acid and carotenoids in the pulp. We used a fully randomized design and sub-divided parcels. The results suggest that the modified atmosphere, caused by polyamide films in association with ethylene absorber, preserved the fruits better and retarded metabolic processes, increasing post-harvest useful life.