Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 14.12
Recommended Storage Conditions for Cucurbits.
Controlled Atmosphere (%)
Storage
Temperature (
Relative
Humidity (%)
Expected
Storage Life
°
C)
Oxygen
Carbon Dioxide
Cucumis melo
L. Cantaloupe, Galia
Whole: 2-7
95
10-14 d
3-6
6-15
Charantais
Fresh-cut: 0
3-5 d
10-20
—
Honey Dew
Whole: 10
95
21 d
Not Rec.
Not Rec.
Fresh-cut: 5
6-10 d
5%
5%
Casaba, Crenshaw, Canary
10
90-95
21 d
Not Rec.
Cucumis sativis
Slicing cucumber
10-12
95
14 d
1-4
0
Dutch (English)
10-13
95
+
(wrapped)
14 d
NA
NA
Beit alpha (mini)
10
95
14 d
NA
NA
Pickling
3-5
95
7 d.
3
5
Citrullus lanatus
(watermelon)
Whole: 10-15
90
14-21 d
Not rec.
Fresh-cut: 3
15
5
10
Cucurbita pepo
(summer squashes)
Whole: 5-10
95
14 d
Not rec.
zucchini
Fresh-cut: 5
100
0.25-1.0
0
Cucurbita maxima
(winter squash)
Whole: 10-13
50-70
1-3 mo.
Buttercup
only: 7
15
Cucurbita moschata
(pumpkin;
calabasa)
Whole: 10
50-70
2-3 mo
NA
Fresh-cut: 0
2
15
Momordica charantia
(bitter melon)
10-12
85-90
2-3 wk
NA
Trichosanthes anguina
L. (snake
gourd)
15-18
90-95
2-3 wk
NA
Luffa acutangula
(angled luffa) 10-12 90-95 14 d NA NA
Sechium edule
(chayote) 7-10 85-95 4-6 wk NA
Source: Cartaxo (1998), Gorny (2001), Lim (1998), Saltveit (2001), Post-harvest Technology Research & Information
Center (2003), Villalta
et al
. (2003) and Zong
et al
. (1995). Selected authors from Gross
et al
. (2002): J.K. Brecht
(Pumpkin and Winter Squash), T.G. McCollum (Summer Squash), S. Morris and J. Jobling (Luffa), J.W. Rushing
(Watermelon), K.C. Saltviet (Cucumber) and Shellie and G. Lester (Netted Melons).
significant quality losses can occur due to fluctuating
temperatures (Nunes
et al
. 2003). Marine shipment is
slower but temperature control is excellent and other
treatments are possible including relative humidity
control and use of controlled atmospheres. A thorough
review of shipment via marine container is found in
Thompson
et al
. (2000).
surrounding the product. Maintaining high relative humidity
(90-95%) is accomplished with use of films or packing in
vented clamshell containers. Care must be taken to avoid
condensation on the product to minimize growth of decay
organisms during handling and storage. For this reason, win-
ter squashes are stored at lower relative humidity (50-70%).
Modification of the atmosphere with low oxygen and/or
elevated carbon dioxide atmospheres benefits netted
melons and immature fruit types by slowing ripening and
senescence and by retarding the growth of spoilage
organisms (Table 14.12). Controlled atmosphere shipping
involves active monitoring and control of the storage
atmosphere to fairly exact concentrations and is used
Post-harvest treatments
Modification of the storage atmosphere can significantly
extend post-harvest quality. This ranges from maintaining
high relative humidity within a package or pallet via plastic
films to changing the composition of the atmosphere
