Effects of Different Storage Temperature on Fruit Quality of Pomegranate

Abstract

In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effects of different storage temperatures on fruit quality of pomegranate cv. Hicaznar during storage. Hicaznar pomegranate, widely grown in Turkey, harvested at commercial stage and transported to laboratory immediately. After dividing into three groups, fruit were packaged in plastic boxes and stored at 6, 12 and 20 °C for 30 days. Effects of storage temperature on all investigated quality parameters of pomegranate except for h° value and TA were statistically important. As expected, the quality losses of fruit decreased with increasing storage temperature. Reaching the weight loss of 5 %, which is considered a threshold for many fruit, at the 10th day of storage in room condition (20 °C) showed the importance of packaging and storage temperature. In general, storage of pomegranate in plastic boxes caused higher weight loss over the 30-day period. It was determined that the fruit stored at 6 °C maintained fruit juice, SSC and TA better than those of other temperatures. The sensory quality losses of pomegranates increased as the storage temperature increased. The fact that the fruit lost marketable quality (≥ 5) for external appearance at 30th days of storage, even in the cold room, showed that packaging materials with certain water vapor permeability are required for long-term storage of pomegranate. Considering the weight loss and visual quality, Hicaznar variety could be stored with good quality in plastic boxes for 25 days at 6 °C, 20 days at 12 °C and 10-15 days at 20 °C.