Volume 54 Number 3 Article 26 Pages: 138-147
Year 2000 Month 7
Title: Storage Life and Ripening Behavior of īCascade` Pears as Influenced by Harvest Maturity and Storage Temperature
Authors: S.S. Ma, P.M. Chen, and E.A. Mielke
Citation
Abstract:
'Cascade' pears (Pyrus communis L.) harvested at three stages of maturity with flesh firmness (FF)
of 77.7 N, 63.0 N and 55.1 N respectively were stored in air at either -1°C or 2°C to evaluate storage
life, ripening behavior, and dessert quality upon ripening at 20°C. Fruit stored at -1°C softened at a much
slower rate than fruit stored at 2°C during 5 months of air storage, regardless of harvest maturity.
Fruit
stored at -1°C developed little internal browning (IB) or senescent scald (SS) until after 5 months of air
storage, while fruit stored at 2°C developed IB and SS after 3 months of air storage regardless of harvest maturity.
It was concluded that the proper temperature for long-term storage of 'Cascade' pears is
-1°C. Regardless of harvest maturity, fruit were incapable of ripening normally without exposure to any
chilling temperature.
After one month of air storage at -1°C or 2°C, all fruit were capable of ripening
normally.
Early harvested fruit ripened with melting juicy texture but lacked flavor.
Fruit harvested later
were capable of developing high dessert qualities including melting juicy texture, distinct mixed
'Bartlett' and 'Cornice' pear aroma and tart sweet taste upon ripening.
Fruit with FF between 63.0 N and
55.1 N was considered to be at optimum maturity for commercial harvest.
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