Quality changes in pineapple (Ananas comosus cv. N36) stored at low temperature

H. Abdullah, M. A. Rohaya and I. Abd. Aziz

Abstract

Studies on the storage of pineapple cv. N36 were conducted. The fruit were harvested approximately 180 days after flower induction and stored at 10 °C for up to 4 weeks. Changes in fruit quality were evaluated weekly, i.e. immediately after fruit removal from low temperature storage and after being held further for another week at ambient condition. Observations were made on weight loss, skin colour, crown condition, flesh colour, black heart disorder, disease infection, ascorbic acid, total soluble solids and pH. N36 pineapple was resistant to black heart but could be infected by leathery pocket, a disease caused by Penicillium funiculosum Thom. Fruit quality was maintained throughout storage at low temperature but deteriorated after being exposed for 1 week at ambient following refrigeration. Although the ascorbic acid content has been associated with pineapple susceptibility to black heart, the N36 pineapple did not show any difference in the level of ascorbic acid as compared with other pineapple cultivars grown in Malaysia.

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