Quality of plums (Prunus salicina, Lindl) 'Reubennel' after cold storage

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to verily the quality of 'Reubennel' plums after two periods of cold storage: 30 and 40 days at 0°C and 90-95% RH and thereafter submitted to 1, 2 and 3 days of simulated marketing, at room temperature (25-26°C). The weight loss at 30 days of cold storage and marketing were 0,57% and 2,0%, respectively. At 40 days the weigth loss reached 1,87% in cold storage and 7,0% in marketing. The decay increased during marketing, principally after 40 days of cold storage. The firmness and total titratable acidity had greater decrease after 40 days and there was no significant variation in total soluble solids during all cold storage and simulated marketing. Because of the high decay, weight loss and fruit overripening verified at 40 days, 30 days of cold storage and 2 days of marketing, are recommended for this cultivar.