Postharvest respiration and maturation of some lesser-known exotic fruits from Brazil – ciriguela (Spondias purpurea L.)

Abstract

Red mombin (Spondias purpurea L) fruits, locally known as ciriguela, were monitored for their respiration activity. Mature green fruits of red mombin were stored in closed glass containers and concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide after five hours of respiration was determined. In the same time interval, the container lid was opened for air renewal. Increase in carbon dioxide and decrease in oxygen concentration demonstrated climacteric respiration behavior. Maximum CO2 liberation, 111.8 mL·kg–1·h–1 and O2 absorption 124.2 mL·kg–1·h–1 occurred at 140 and 130 h respectively, post-harvest, starting then the senescence process. Respiratory Quotients (R.Q.) during the period of post-harvest storage of red mombin: pre-climacteric, climacteric minimum, climacteric maximum and post-climacteric stages were 0.51, 0.61, 0.9 and 0.67, respectively. Total soluble solids increased from 7.7 0 Brix (initial) to 15.7 0 Brix (post climacteric stage) during ripening, but total acidity show no significant change. There was a continuous decrease in ascorbic acid and chlorophyll content of fruits. Total carotenoids increased continuously during ripening.