Postharvest quality of tomato fruits sacked with nonwoven fabric (TNT)

Abstract

The possibility of growing without the use of chemical insecticides or reduction thereof, associated with the requirements by consumers has motivated growers to return the practice of bagging fruit, but it is possible that this technique causes changes in the visual and organoleptic characteristics of fruit. The objective of this study was to evaluate possible changes in postharvest characteristics in tomato fruits 'Valerin' produced inside bags nonwoven (‘TNT’) and validate the better period for the completion of bagging. The fruits used were from commercial planting of tomato plants, located in Ubajara, Ceara State. The experimental design was randomized blocks in factorial 2 x 4, with five repetitions. Factors considered refer to two ways of use of insecticides [1-Plants treated with insecticides; and 2-Plants not treated with insecticides] and four ways to bagging the bunches with nonwoven [T1-Bagging flower; T2-Bagging the bunches with fruit 1.5 cm diameter; T3-Bagging the bunches with fuit 3.0 cm diameter; T4-Bunches not bagged (control)]. Variations in color parameters (brightness and hue angle) and firmness did not compromise the fruit quality when bagging was conducted in flower stage (T1) or when the fruits had 1.5 cm diameter (T2). The other parameters (titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total carotenoids, lycopene and s-carotene) studieds howed no change compared to the control. Bagging tomato bunches when performed in the flower stage or when the fruits have about 1.5 cm in diameter do not change the postharvest quality.