Effect of Calcium Chloride and Hydrocooling on Postharvest Quality of Selected Vegetables

Abstract

<p>Precooling and postharvest application of calcium chloride (CaCl₂) on produce has positive effects in maintaining the produce quality during storage. However, there is variation in the response of the produce to different CaCl₂concentrations_.As a result, there is need to establish optimal concentrations of calcium chloride that can extend postharvest life of targeted produce. Fresh good quality produce (tomatoes, carrots, courgettes and African eggplants) of uniform size and maturity were harvested and sampled into four portions. One was a control, hydrocooled with water only at 2±1 ⁰C and the others were hydrocooled with water containing CaCl₂ at 0.5%, 1.0% and 1.5%. After hydrocooling, tomatoes, African eggplants and courgettes were stored at 10 ⁰C, while carrots were stored at 7 ⁰C, all at 95% constant relative humidity, and sampled every two days for quality assessment. Weight loss, chilling injury, vitamin c and beta-carotene loss were reduced by application of calcium chloride. Titratable acidity decrease and increase in total soluble solids and specific sugars was also slowed by application of CaCl₂.</p>