Relacion Entre La Madurez Aparente Al Cosechar Y La Calidad Post Cosecha De Cultivares De Melocoton [prunus Persica (l). Batsch] Con Bajo Requerimiento De Horas Frio En Puerto Rico

The goal of this research was to establish the minimum initial apparent maturity at harvest (based on the external coloration of the fruit) so that peach fruits could have acceptable attributes of quality by time of the consumption. During 2007 and 2008, fruits of Tropicbeauty, Flordaglo, Flordaprince and UFSun in different percentages (30, 50, 70 y 90%) of apparent maturity (AM) were harvested in Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. These fruits were evaluated at four post-harvest moments: (a) at the harvest (initial), (b) after local storage or international shipping at low temperature (14d-0°C), (c) after short term storage in fresh atmosphere (5d-20°C), and (d) after local storage or international shipping at low temperature plus short term storage in fresh atmosphere (14d-0°C+5d-20°C). The quality attributes were: fruit skin and pulp coloration (L*, a*, b*, Chroma and °Hue), total solid soluble (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/AT relationship, weight, percentage of lost mass, diameters (length, greater and smaller diameters), firmness and production of mg CO2/Kg h and microL C2H4/Kg h. Tropicbeauty showed consumer quality at 50 and 70% AM after 14d-0°C+5d-20°C and at 90% AM after 14d-0°C or after 5d-20°C. Flordaglo showed consumer quality at 70% AM after 14d-0°C+5d-20°C and at 90% AM after 5d-20°C or after 14d-0°C. Flordaprince showed consumer quality at 30 and 50% AM after 14d-0°C+5d-20°C, at 70% AM after 5d-20°C or after 14d-0°C and at 90% AM after 14d-0°C. UFSun showed consumer quality at 30 and 50% AM after 14d-0°C+5d-20°C, at 70 and 90% AM after 14d-0°C or after 5d-20°C.