Postharvest ripening and respiration of chili

Abstract

Effect of exogenous ethylene application on postharvest ripening and respiratory pattern of chili (Capsicum annum Var.MI-2) harvested at different stages of maturity was examined. Chilies harvested at mature green and colour break stages were used for the ripening study. Pods were allowed to ripen at ambient conditions (32 ±2 °C and 37% RH) with 0, 100, 200, 300, and 400ppm ethylene concentrations. Observations were made on colour development and weight of red ripe pods during storage period. Ethylene treatment had no significant effect on colour development of chili harvested at both stages of maturity. Fruits harvested at different stages of maturity ranging from light green to full red were used for the respiration study at 12.2 °C and 83 % RH in a closed system. Respiration rates of chili from light green to full red stage ranged between 12.7-24.2 mgCO/kg/h. The rate of respiration was low at light green stage and increased with maturity reaching a peak (24.2 mgCO/kg/h) at colour break stage. Respiration rate decreased with fruit ripening and increased with development off ull red colour. The internal ethylene concentration of pods was ranged between 3.2-4.3 ppm. However, there was no ethylene peak observed with the maturity.