Effect of harvest maturity on quality and shelf lIfe of Pumpkin
By: Veena M.
Contributor(s): Sheela K B (Guide).
Material type:
BookPublisher: Vellanikkara Department of Processing Technology, College of Horticulture 2001DDC classification: 631.56 Online resources: Click here to access online Dissertation note: MSc Abstract: The research project "Effect of harvest maturity on quality and shelf life
of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir)" was carried out at the Department of
Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University,
Thrissur during the period November 1999 to January 2001.
The major objective was to study the effect of harvest maturity III
relation to source of nutrition on the physico-chemical constituents and shelf life of
three varieties of pumpkin viz., Co. 1 , Ambili and Suvarna.
The observations revealed that the varieties differed significantly in
physical attributes like circumference, polar diameter, flesh thickness, cavity index
and physical composition. Varieties also showed significant variation in content of
TSS, sugar, ascorbic acid, P carotene, starch and crude fibre.
Ambili had the ideal characteristics required of a pumpkin variety viz.,
early maturity, high flesh recovery and low seed and placenta per cent and hence a
low waste index. Suvarna had better nutritional and processing attributes as
indicated by yellowish orange colour, high P carotene, TSS and acidity.
The physical parameters like fruit weight, polar diameter,
circumference, flesh thickness and cavity volume showed an increasing trend while
seed and placenta percentage showed a decreasing trend with maturity. Chemical
constituents like TSS, total sugars, acidity, P carotene and crude fibre increased
with maturity while starch declined after reaching a maximum value at 45 days
after anthesis (d.a.a.). Fruits harvested at 45 d.a.a. had longer shelf life. The
physiological loss in weight was maximum when fruits were harvested at 30 d.a.a.
Fruits of variety Ambili can be harvested 45 days after anthesis for
better fruit weight, maximum flesh thickness, sensory quality and less PL W in
storage. The optimum maturity for harvest of variety Suvarna is 60 days after
anthesis in both seasons for maximum fruit weight, ~ carotene, TSS, total sugars
and longer shelf life. For economic yield Co.l should be harvested at 45 d.a.a. in
summer and 60 d.a.a. in rainy season. However in all the varieties an improvement
in quality of fruits as evidenced by high ~ carotene, TSS, total sugars and acidity
was observed when harvest was delayed upto 60 days after anthesis.
Inorganic nutrition had a favourable effect on physical composition of
fruits while organic nutrition improved the quality by increasing TSS, reducing
sugars, ~ carotene and decreasing crude fibre content.
| Item type | Current location | Call number | Status | Date due | Barcode |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Theses
|
KAU Central Library, Thrissur Theses | 631.56 VEE/EF (Browse shelf) | Available | 171730 |
MSc
The research project "Effect of harvest maturity on quality and shelf life
of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Poir)" was carried out at the Department of
Processing Technology, College of Horticulture, Kerala Agricultural University,
Thrissur during the period November 1999 to January 2001.
The major objective was to study the effect of harvest maturity III
relation to source of nutrition on the physico-chemical constituents and shelf life of
three varieties of pumpkin viz., Co. 1 , Ambili and Suvarna.
The observations revealed that the varieties differed significantly in
physical attributes like circumference, polar diameter, flesh thickness, cavity index
and physical composition. Varieties also showed significant variation in content of
TSS, sugar, ascorbic acid, P carotene, starch and crude fibre.
Ambili had the ideal characteristics required of a pumpkin variety viz.,
early maturity, high flesh recovery and low seed and placenta per cent and hence a
low waste index. Suvarna had better nutritional and processing attributes as
indicated by yellowish orange colour, high P carotene, TSS and acidity.
The physical parameters like fruit weight, polar diameter,
circumference, flesh thickness and cavity volume showed an increasing trend while
seed and placenta percentage showed a decreasing trend with maturity. Chemical
constituents like TSS, total sugars, acidity, P carotene and crude fibre increased
with maturity while starch declined after reaching a maximum value at 45 days
after anthesis (d.a.a.). Fruits harvested at 45 d.a.a. had longer shelf life. The
physiological loss in weight was maximum when fruits were harvested at 30 d.a.a.
Fruits of variety Ambili can be harvested 45 days after anthesis for
better fruit weight, maximum flesh thickness, sensory quality and less PL W in
storage. The optimum maturity for harvest of variety Suvarna is 60 days after
anthesis in both seasons for maximum fruit weight, ~ carotene, TSS, total sugars
and longer shelf life. For economic yield Co.l should be harvested at 45 d.a.a. in
summer and 60 d.a.a. in rainy season. However in all the varieties an improvement
in quality of fruits as evidenced by high ~ carotene, TSS, total sugars and acidity
was observed when harvest was delayed upto 60 days after anthesis.
Inorganic nutrition had a favourable effect on physical composition of
fruits while organic nutrition improved the quality by increasing TSS, reducing
sugars, ~ carotene and decreasing crude fibre content.
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