Efficacy of ultraviolet-C irradiation to suppress fruit decay and retain the postharvest quality of dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus)

Lee, Chuen Ng and Sink, Jack Tan and Tufail Ahmad Fauziah, (2022) Efficacy of ultraviolet-C irradiation to suppress fruit decay and retain the postharvest quality of dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus). Malaysian Applied Biology, 51 (1). pp. 119-127. ISSN 0126-8643

[img]
Preview
PDF
3MB

Official URL: https://jms.mabjournal.com/index.php/mab/issue/vie...

Abstract

Dragon fruit (Hylocereus sp.) is a non-climacteric fruit with a short shelf-life and is easily susceptible to diseases. Chemical pesticides are commonly used to control disease in dragon fruit. However, the efficacy of Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation at low concentrations as effective germicidal to control fruit decay and prolong the shelf-life on dragon fruit is still unexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of UV-C irradiation at lower rates (0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 kJ m-2) to control the postharvest decay and maintain the quality of dragon fruit. Results revealed that the quality of dragon fruit is dose-dependent. UV-C irradiated dragon fruits at 0.75 and 1.0 kJ m-2 were significantly reduced in fruit body decay, delayed bract yellowing, and prolonged shelf-life. These dosages synergistically slowed down the depletion of total soluble solids and fruit firmness during storage. Also, dragon fruit treated with 1.0 kJ m-2 UV-C exhibited the lowest pH value after the 6th day in storage. UV-C irradiation at this dosage indicated no significant adverse effects in titratable acidity and total water loss. These results indicated that UV-C irradiation at 1.0 kJ m-2 was effective to reduce post-harvest decay and hence prolong the post-harvest quality of dragon fruit storage under ambient conditions.

Item Type:Article
Keywords:Fruit rot; Pitaya; Post-harvest quality; UV-C irradiation
Journal:Malaysian Applied Biology Journal
ID Code:19516
Deposited By: ms aida -
Deposited On:24 Aug 2022 04:23
Last Modified:30 Aug 2022 00:59

Repository Staff Only: item control page