The short shelf-life of loquat (Eryobotria japonica Lindl.) fruit is one of the factors that results in the final price of this fruit hindering the increase of its production and popularization. The investment in storage strategies represents a contribution for the loquat market. The aim of this work is to present a low cost alternative to extend the storage time for this fruit. Mature loquat fruit (Eryobotria japonica Lindl.) cv Precoce de Itaquera were conditioned in trays of polystyrene terephthalate and wrapped with 14 µm polyvinyl chloride film. The fruits were stored at different temperatures (18 and 6 °C) in the presence or absence of potassium permanganate sachets for ethylene removal. During the storage time, the fruit was periodically analyzed for ethylene production and respiration. Afterwards, it was peeled and the endocarp frozen after removing the seeds. The fruit was monitored for loss of fresh weight and the glucose, fructose, sucrose and sorbitol content were analyzed by HPAEC-PAD during the storage period. The ethylene production in the groups stored in the presence of sachets was significantly smaller in comparison to the other groups, regardless of the storage temperature. Respiration showed dependence of the temperature, and was smaller in the fruit stored at 6 °C, regardless of the presence of sachets. The soluble sugar levels presented fluctuations during the storage period at a low temperature, but without significant alterations in relation to the initial content, except for the sorbitol that presented an increase. The effects of storage at a low temperature combined with the presence of ethylene absorbing sachets on respiration and ethylene levels can be pointed out as relevant in terms of increasing the shelf life of the loquat fruit, without alterations in the levels of soluble sugars, fundamental for the development of the flavor of the fruit. The combination of packing, low temperature and sachets for ethylene removal is a viable strategy to keep the loquat, significantly extending its short postharvest life.
postharvest; shelf-life; ethylene; respiration; package
