Physico-chemical changes during growth and development of papaya fruit. IΙ: Chemical changes

摘要

Chemical changes during growth and development of female and hermaphrodite fruits of‘Ekostika Ι’, ‘Ekostika II’ and ‘Baladi’ papaya fruits were studied. Respiration curves exhibited atypical climacteric pattern. Respiration rate progressively declined to a minimum value atphysiological maturity (120 DAA) and then increased in a climacteric pattern with peak ofrespiration at 140 DAA. Total soluble solid (TSS) and total sugars slightly increased up tophysiological maturity and then sharply increased during the ripening phase (125-145 DAA).Reducing sugars, titratable acidity and total protein slightly decreased till physiological maturityand then increased, reaching a peak, which coincided with the climacteric peak of respiration,and subsequently decreased. Phenolic compounds progressively decreased and ascorbic acidcontent steadily increased. Papaya fruits should be harvested shortly (5-10 days) afterphysiological maturity, where the fruit attains maximum size and weight, still firm, climacteric risephase has just started, TSS and sugars start to shoot up and phenolic compounds and acidity arereasonably low.