No abstract

Resumo -Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar o efeito da cera de carnaúba (Primax Wax) e filme plástico de polietileno de baixa densidade "X-tend" sobre a vida útil pós-colheita de mamão 'Formosa' (Tainung 1) produzido em Baraúna -RN. O experimento foi conduzido no laboratório de Pós-colheita da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA). Utilizou-se um esquema fatorial 3 x 6 com 3 repetições de três frutos por parcela, constituindo na combinação de 3 tipos de atmosferas (cera, filme de polietileno e controle) com 6 tempos de armazenamento (0; 7; 14; 21; 28; 35). Os frutos dos distintos tratamentos foram armazenados em câmaras frias a 10 ± 2 °C e UR 90 ± 5%, analisados em intervalos de sete dias. As características avaliadas foram: aparência externa, perda de massa, firmeza da polpa, sólidos solúveis, acidez titulável e vitamina C. Constatou-se ser o filme plástico o mais eficiente em manter a qualidade externa e reduzir a perda de massa dos frutos. A cera de carnaúba, na concentração utilizada, mostrou eficiência relativa na conservação de mamão quando comparada ao filme plástico. A vida útil pós-colheita dos frutos mantidos sob atmosfera modificada foi de 35 dias e do controle apenas 28 dias. Palavras-chave -Carica papaya L. Alimentos-armazenamento. Fruta-conservação.Abstract -The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of carnauba wax (Primax Wax) and low-density polyethylene film "X-tend" on shelf life of 'Formosa' papaya fruits produced in Baraúna, RN. The experiment was carried out in the Postharvest Laboratory of the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido (UFERSA). A 3 x 6 factorial scheme with three replications of three fruits per plot in a completely randomized design was used. The treatments consisted of the combination of three types of atmosphere (wax, polyethylene film and control) with six storage times (0; 7; 14; 21; 28 and 35). The fruits of these treatments were stored in cold chamber at 10 ± 2 ºC and RH 90 ± 5%, and analyzed in 7 days intervals. The evaluated traits were: external appearance, weight loss, pulp firmness, soluble solids, titratable acidity and C vitamin. It was observed that polyethylene film was the most efficient coverage to keep the external quality and to reduce the weight loss of the papaya fruits. The carnauba wax in the used concentration shows good efficiency in papaya fruits conservation as compared with that polyethylene film. The shelf life of papaya fruits kept under modified atmosphere was of 35 days and for those fruits kept at ambient condition was of 28 days.

The pulsed ultraviolet radiation (UV P ) has been used as an alternative strategy for the control of microorganisms in food. However, its application causes the browning of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. In order to control the browning of the 'Tommy Atkins' minimally processed mango and treated with UV P (5.7 J cm -2

There are many procedures for obtaining minimally processed fruits and vegetables, aiming at adding value and maintaining the quality for a longer period. Cassava is a root that adapts to minimum processing technology, because the tissues are more resistant, what helps in obtaining different cut shapes and formats. However, it is a root susceptible to browning and microbiological contamination. In this chapter, methodologies and procedures are described to obtain alternative formats for minimally processed cassava, which was generally denominated "babycassava",called"babytolete", "cateto",and "rubiene". Besides that, some preharvest and postharvest factors that influence the shape and quality of "babycassava" formats will be addressed. It was verified that preharvest factors could influence the quantitative and qualitative aspects, resulting in browning of the minimally processed root. Some of the factors studied seem to regulate key enzymes in which they mediate oxidative reactions that cause browning, such as polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase, and other enzymes that participate in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) elimination process. In this way, the turning stage of "babycassava" manufacturing removes the parenchyma, minimizing the effect of browning-related enzymes.

RESUMO -O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar algumas alterações físicas e químicas durante o desenvolvimento de frutos de melão de quatro cultivares. Para isto foram plantadas quatro cultivares de melão na área experimental do Departamento de Ciências Vegetais da Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido -UFERSA, onde foram monitorados os períodos da antese. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos completos casualizados, com três repetições, em esquema de parcela subdividida. As parcelas foram constituídas pelas cultivares de melão ('AF 1749', Hy-Mark, Rochedo e Caipira) e as subparcelas pelas idades dos frutos (14; 21; 28; 35 e 42 dias após a antese). Quatro frutos por subparcela foram colhidos nestas idades e foram analisados quanto à massa média, firmeza, sólidos solúveis, acidez total, vitamina C e pH. Verificou-se interação significativa entre os fatores estudados (idades x cultivares) para massa média dos frutos, firmeza de polpa, acidez total, pH, vitamina C e sólidos solúveis. A massa dos frutos, firmeza, sólidos solúveis, pH e Vitamina C aumentaram, e a acidez diminuiu durante o desenvolvimento dos frutos. Termos para Indexação: Cucumis melo L., qualidade de frutos, idades dos frutos, antese. PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF MELON FRUITS DURING THEIR DEVELOPMENTABSTRACT -The objective of this work was to study some physical and chemical changes during melon fruits development of four cultivars. An experiment was carried out at the experimental area of Plant Science Department of Universidade Federal Rural do SemiÁrido -UFERSA, where the anthesis period was monitored. The experimental design used was of randomized complete blocks with three replications in a split-plot scheme. To the plots were assigned the melon cultivars ('AF 1749', Hy-Mark, Rochedo e Caipira) and to the subplots were assigned the harvested fruit times (7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days after anthesis). Four fruits per subplot of each cultivar were harvested in the different fruit times, and then, they were analyzed for average weight, firmness, soluble solids, total acidity, vitamin C and pH. There was a significant interaction between harvested fruit times and cultivars for average fruit weight, pulp firmness, total acidity, pH, vitamin C and soluble solids. The average fruit weight, pulp firmness, soluble solids, pH and Vitamin C increased and the total acidity decreased with the melon fruit's development.