季節別マスクメロンの保蔵特性および鮮度保持紙の効果について

Abstract

Muskmelons (Cucumis melo L. 'Earl's Seine'), grown in vinyl houses in the subtropical region of Japan, were investigated relative to characteristics at the ripening stage and the storage-life of the fruit harvested in different seasons. Effects of freshening paper (a material used to maintain freshness of fruits and vegetables) on the quality of the muskmelon were also examined.1. There was a gradual increase in ethylene production of fruit attached to the plant as they matured. Both the onset and the rate of increase in ethylene production were acceler-ated in the detached fruit. The ethylene production from the fruit harvested 60 days after anthesis reached a maximum (3.5 μl•kg-1•hr-1) 6 days during storage. The best time to harvest this cultivar was estimated on the basis of flesh firmness and soluble solids content.2. Storage at 20°C: The fruit harvested in summer and autumn retained greater than 350 g of their firmness for more than 7 days, while the firmness of the fruits harvested in winter and spring decreased below 350 g in less than 7 days.3. Storage at 4°C: Chilling injury occurred in 3 weeks and the firmness decreased to 263 g within 5 weeks in the summer-harvested fruit. A small amount of the fruits harvested in winter and spring developed chilling injury though most of them retained their commercial quality throughout 4 or 5 weeks.4. The decrease in firmness was significantly suppressed by using freshening paper in storage at 20°C for 1 week.