Journal of Agricultural Science and Food Research
Open Access

Abstract

Effect of Harvesting Stage and Types of Storage on the Quality and Shelf-Life of Tomato Fruit

Ermias Dureto Badebo* and Wasihun Wale Eyesa

The study was conducted to undertake the effect of harvesting stage and types of storage on the quality and shelf life of tomato fruit. Three harvesting stages (mature green, half ripen and red /fully ripen and three types of storage (wooden box (control), zero energy cool chamber and aerobically underground storage) were used as treatment and laid out in factorial arrangements in complete randomized design with three replication. During the storage period percentage weight loss, decay, moisture content, vitamin C and total soluble solids were increased in all storage types irrespective of harvesting stages, while fruit firmness decreased accordingly. Vitamin C and shelf life of tomato were highest in zero energy cool chamber than aerobically underground and wooden box storage. Decay and weight loss percentage were highest in wooden box than aerobically underground and zero energy cool chamber storage. At end of storage period due to starch degradation TSS was increased in all types of storage and it was highest in aerobically underground storage than zero energy cool chamber and wooden box. Tomato moisture and firmness were highest in aerobically underground storage and wooden box storage than the rest respectively. Significant difference (p<0.05) was observed for the parameters from harvesting stages and storage types. Results indicated that, irrespective of harvesting stage percentage weight loss(2.3-30,12.5-51.5,12.3-71.7), decay(1.38-63.9,1.36-76,1.3-88.9), shelf life(17-21,11.3-15.3,4.3-7.3), firmness(2.13-6.2,1.79-6.14,1.93-6.22), total soluble solids(3.06-4.88,3.23-5.2,2.94-4.14), moisture(83.52-87.18,83.53-91.4,82.07-86.76) and vitamin C(17.33-18.67,16.81-18.43,15.53-18.32) contents were ranged from first day to end of storage in zero energy cool chamber, aerobically underground storage and wooden box respectively.

Published Date: 2022-10-06; Received Date: 2022-09-05