Abstract:
Chilli (Capsicum annum var.MI-2) pods harvested at different stages
of maturity ranging from light green to full red were used to study the
respiration changes at 15.5 °C and 83 % RH in a closed system. Respiration
rates of chilli from light green to full red stage ranged between 12.7-24.2
mgC02/kg/h. The rate of respiration was low (12.7 mgC02/kg/h) at light green
stage and increased with maturity reaching a peak of 24.2 mgC02/kg/h at the
stage where a distinct colour change occurs. In the ripening process, at first
respiration rate decreases. Then later as the red colour develops, the respiration
is shown to increase. Ethylene was present in the pods between 3.2-4.3 ppm.
However, there was no ethylene peak observed with the maturity. Fruits were
allowed to ripen at ambient conditions (32 ± 2 °C and 37 % RH) with 0, 100,
200, 300, and 400 ppm ethylene concentrations. Observations were made on
colour development of pods during storage. Ethylene treatment had no
significant effect on colour development of chilli harvested at both mature
green and colour break stages of maturity. Results provided that Capsicum
annum var. MI-2 belongs to non-climacteric group of fruits.
