Processamento mínimo, fisiologia e conservação refrigerada de genótipos de tomate / Physiology and refrigerated conservation of fresh-cut tomato genotypes

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the physiological characteristics of ripening and to describe the potential conservation of fresh-cut Firme and Alambra mutant tomatoes (long life), in relation to Santa Clara (normal) and F1 (Firme x Santa Clara) tomatoes. Fruits were harvested at ripening stage 4 and kept for 15 days at 12 C, except for Alambra, harvested at stage 3 and kept at room temperature until reaching stage 4, prior to conservation at 12C. Color, carotenoids and firmness analyses showed that all fruits acquired the red color and ripened simultaneously during the conservation period. Firme tomatoes presented lower percentage of total soluble solids and higher carotenoids content than the other genotypes. Processing of tomatoes was as follows: fruits were sanitized, cut in slices 5 mm thickness, drained, placed in polypropylene stoppered jars, and kept at 5C for 15 days. Initial firmness of the slices was low as compared to whole fruits, and there were small changes in slices during conservation. Carotenoids and color increase indicated fresh-cut genotypes ripened during the conservation period at 12C. Alambra and F1 sliced tomatoes presented higher percentages of exudation than sliced Santa Clara and Firme tomatoes. Exudation showed to be the main factor responsible for the loss of fresh mass, and seemed to have contributed to the rapid loss of desirable appearance. Tests of acceptance for color, texture, aroma and flavor, indicated acceptance of Santa Clara and Firme slices until the sixth day of conservation. However, loss in visual appearance of slices was faster and more remarkable than quality losses observed by means of acceptance tests. Microbial counts during conservation of fresh-cut tomatoes did not exceed 104 CFU.gFW-1 of psychrotrophic bacteria and fungi. Thus, microbial growth was not the cause for freshcut tomatoes deterioration. Under the present experimental conditions, the studied genotypes did not differ in their potential conservation as fresh-cut products. Alambra and F1 seemed to be less suitable for fresh-cut processing. Comparatively, Firme seems to have some potential for use as fresh-cut tomato; however, this needs improvement in the processing and conservation techniques.

ASSUNTO(S)

long life alambra shelf-life firme mutant mutante firme fisiologia vegetal longa vida alambra vida útil

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