Quality evaluation of Three Sweet Pepper Cultivars after Prolonged Storage

Abstract

The objectives of this research were to use prolonged storage simulation and actual long distant trial shipment by sea to distant markets, to examine the possibility of storing sweet pepper for more than three weeks. The market quality of three coloured commercial bell pepper cultivars (Parker-red, Nibla-yellow and Lyon-orange) harvested in January and March was assessed immediately after harvest, and after 21 days storage at 7°C plus three days at 20°C in parallel with the trial sea shipment experiment. Generally, Parker and Nibla were outstanding in all the parameters examined, withstood prolonged storage of 23 days at 7°C plus four days shelf life at 15-17°C, and therefore are suitable for export by sea transport to distant markets. Lyon was not suitable due to its poor physical characteristics such as thin pericarp tissue and low skin wax content that led to high weight loss and softening, high incidence of decay and poor general appearance. Maintaining a low rate of weight loss and softening in bell pepper after harvest is important for prolonged storage of over three weeks, good general appearance and regular supply of high quality fruits to consumers and high income to the farmers.