This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different types of coating, temperatures and storage times in the conservation of 'Champagne' oranges. After cooling and sanitizing, the fruits were submitted to the following treatments: 1) control, 2) coating with 2% cassava starch (m/v), 3) coating with 4% cassava starch (m/v), 4) coating with stretchable PVC film and 5) coating with low density polyethylene film. The fruits were stored at three different temperatures: ambient (25ºC / 70 ± 5% RH) and in cold rooms at 3ºC and at 8ºC with 85 ± 5% RH. The loss in mass of the fruits was determined and also the pH, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity, total sugars and ascorbic acid of the juices. Samples were taken every 4 days for 24 days for the fruits stored under ambient conditions, and every 10 days for 60 days for those stored in the cold. The fruits stored at 3 ºC showed a lower mass loss. Regardless of storage temperature, the control fruits and those coated with starch showed higher losses of mass than those coated with PVC and polyethylene. The acidity declined slightly during storage at all temperatures and with all treatments. Independent of temperature, the treatments and storage period had no influence on the pH, solids, total sugar and ascorbic acid contents. Fruit stored at 3ºC maintained their quality for up to 60 days if packed in polyethylene or PVC, whilst at room temperature, the quality of the fruits packed in these films was maintained for 20 days. Fruits packed in polyethylene film showed signs of rot and a strange odour as from the 20th day when stored at 25ºC, and as from the 50th day when stored at 8ºC.
Postharvest storage; Cooling; Modified atmosphere
