Response of different maturity stages of sapota (Manilkara achras Mill.) cv. Kallipatti to in-package ethylene absorbent
Sapota fruits are highly perishable due to their climacteric nature. The rapid softening of fruits is primarily due to high activity of many oxidative enzymes and liberation of ethylene. Harvest maturity plays a crucial role in deciding the marketability of climacteric fruits in general. Attempt has been made to evaluate the response of ethylene absorbent on variable maturity groups of harvested Sapota cv. Kallipatti with the objective to delay the ripening during transit and extend its marketability during storage at ambient condition (27–32 °C & 65–75% R.H.). Harvested fruits having three different degree of ripeness (as maturity indices viz. mature, half-ripe and ripe) were packed with or without ethylene absorbent sachets (Bioconservación, France) in 10 kg CFB boxes and transported from Dahnu to Delhi covering a distant of approximately 2500 KM by truck on road along with conventional packaging as control. The fruits were evaluated immediately on arrival at Delhi and subsequently during storage for various physical, physiological, biochemical and decay parameters. Mature fruits with ethylene absorbent exhibited maximum delay in ripening, low ethylene liberation, weight loss and high fruit firmness. The response of ethylene absorbent to extend the marketability of ripe fruit was not significant.
Starch Transformation During Banana Ripening: The Amylase and Glucosidase Behavior
Banana starch disappearance during ripening originated at the central portion of the fruit radiating, afterwards, to the surface; the amylose/amylopectin ratio remained constant during the process. The amyloplast was investigated by light and scanning electron microscopy. The surface of starch granules was smooth, and the unique modification obsenred during ripening was the reduction of the granule dimensions; at advanced ripening stages, some striations were detected on the surface of both small and large granules. Several amylolytic enzymes were followed during banana ripening. Seven amylases were detected at all stages, presumably three a- and four p-amylases and, like glucosidases, their activity increased at the climacteric phase; only p-amylase activity increased before the onset of the respiratory peak. For the first time α-l, 6-glucosidase activity was detected in banana.
Flocculation tests with electrophoretically separated serum proteins.
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