The selection of guava trees genotypes whose fruits show longer shelf life is strategic so that distant markets can be reached. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the duration time of storage on some physical and chemical characteristics of 'Cortibel 1' (red pulp) and 'Cortibel 4' (white pulp) selected in Espirito Santo State, Brazil. The experiment was driven under environmental conditions (temperature of 24.1 °C ± 1.0 ºC and relative humidity of 74.1%± 4.3%). Experimental design was completely randomized, with five replications, in a factorial arrangement of 2 x 6, in order to evaluate two cultivars in six post-harvest intervals (2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 12th, and 16th day). The samples comprised four fruits chosen at random. The following characteristics were evaluated: color of the peel, firmness of the pulp, weight loss, pH, and humidity, dry matter, titratable acidity, pectin, cellulose and lignin, hemi-cellulose, total carotenoids, soluble solids, glucose, fructose, and sucrose contents. Complete yellowing of fruits started 12 days after harvest in both cultivar, and the fruits were intact until the 16th day after harvest. 'Cortibel 1' showed higher carotenoid and lower sugar contents than 'Cortibel 4'.
fruit; quality; conservation; composition; Psidium guajava L
