EFFECT OF STORAGE TEMPERATURE IN PURPLE PASSION-FRUIT (Passiflora edulis sims) CONSERVATION

Abstract

Two trials were carried out with passion fruit which were kept in cabinets at 6 C and 17 C temperature, at two stages of maturation (mature and partially mature f rui.t.s ), and impermeabilized or not with paraffin. After a storage period of.4 weeks was observed that the stage of maturation did not affect the weight loss of the fruits (20,3% and 22,7% for mature and partially mature fruits, respectively). Impermeabi1ized fruits with paraffin, showed highly efficient. Treated fruits have lost 15,9% in weight wheter untreated ones have lost approx. 27,4%. Fruits kept under 6 C lost only 9% in weight,wheter those at a 17 C temperature losses attained approx. 33%.