Title: Postharvest quality of two eggplant (Solanum melongena L.) cultivars as influenced by storage in ambient and evaporative cooling conditions

Authors: Christianne Loi U. Ledesma; Leizel B. Secretaria; Emma Ruth V. Bayogan

Addresses: University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City 8022, Philippines ' University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City 8022, Philippines ' University of the Philippines Mindanao, Mintal, Tugbok District, Davao City 8022, Philippines

Abstract: Evaporative cooling is an alternative option for a cheaper technology that can benefit small-scale farmers. The effect of evaporative cooling conditions on the postharvest quality of two eggplant cultivars was compared with ambient conditions. Newly harvested 'Banate King' and 'Señorita' eggplants were stored at ambient (26.37°C, 76.03% relative humidity, RH) or evaporative cooling (25.79°C, 97.94% RH) conditions. Both cultivars stored in the evaporative cooler (EC) showed better postharvest quality with lesser shrivelling and lower weight loss. In both storage conditions, 'Señorita' had lower weight loss, lesser shrivelling, better calyx and visual quality, reduced and late progression of decay and consequently longer shelf life compared to 'Banate King'. A higher ascorbic acid content was also observed in 'Señorita'. The shelf life of both cultivars in the EC was extended by 3.1 and 3.4 days for 'Banate King' and 'Señorita', respectively. Evaporative cooling can thus be a method to maintain eggplant quality a little longer.

Keywords: Banate King; Señorita; evaporative cooler; postharvest quality.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPTI.2022.121962

International Journal of Postharvest Technology and Innovation, 2022 Vol.8 No.2/3, pp.257 - 270

Accepted: 14 Oct 2021
Published online: 07 Apr 2022 *

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