Abstract

PARRA-CORONADO, Alfonso. Ripening and postharvest behavior in guava (Psidium guajava L.). A review. rev.colomb.cienc.hortic. [online]. 2014, vol.8, n.2, pp.314-327. ISSN 2011-2173.

Within the Myrtaceae family, guava is the main species of the Psidium genus because of its economic importance. The classification of guava as a climacteric or non-climacteric fruit is contradictory, varying according to the variety. Different postharvest studies have indicated that, as the postharvest period elapses, weight loss, soluble solids and pH increase and fruit firmness and hue angle decrease. Hue angle significantly expresses the change in the color of the skin and is a good indicator of maturity. The trends of titratable acidity and ascorbic acid content are highly variable, increasing and/or decreasing in the postharvest according to the varietal characteristics. The guava fruits are very susceptible to chilling injury and disease (optimal storage temperature is 5-10°C). The postharvest behavior is influenced by varietal characteristics, the age of the plant and the climatic and growing conditions.

Keywords : climacteric; maturity index; physical changes; biochemical changes; Myrtaceae.

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