Abstract:
This study was conducted to assess the storage potential and to study physico - chemical changes of three important
orange varieties in Sri Lanka. Fresh, fully matured fruits from three recommended cultivars (Arogya, Sisila and Bibile
Sweet) were packed on perforated polythene bags and stored under two different storage conditions (room
temperature at 22- 23 °C and in a refrigerator at 4-5 °C). The stored fruits were examined for physico - chemical
characters at weekly intervals up to five weeks storage period. Results revealed that Arogya fruits can be stored up to
5th week without deterioration at both room temperature and refrigerators, but Sisila and Bibile sweet fruits started
to deteriorate after 3rd and 4 th weeks at room temperature storage, respectively and the storage life can be extended
up to 5 weeks under the refrigerated conditions. According to the results, the Titratable Acidity (TA) was decreased
and the percentage weight loss, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), TSS/TA ratio and pH increased at room and refrigerated
conditions.
