The effect of radiation UV-C was evaluated in Hass avocados, regarding the total phenolics content, polyphefenoloxidase (PPO) enzyme activity and coloration. The selected fruits were submitted to the radiation in light UV-C during 5, 10, 15 and 20 minutes being maintained under refrigeration (10 ± 1 ºC and 90±5% relative humidity), and evaluated for 15 days. For the total phenolics content and PPO there were no differences among treatments in the different times of submission to the UV-C light. Total phenolics content and PPO decreased during the experimental period. The values of brightness remained high (85.4 to 88.5) in the storage. The color values a * and b * decreased with the storage in a more intense way in the fruits submitted to the radiation UV-C. There were no significant correlations for the PPO, total phenolics content and coloration.
Persea americana Mill; darkening; postharvest
