Estudio del efecto de la aplicación de atmósferas modificadas sobre la vida útil y la calidad del aguacate (Persea americana Mill) variedad Fuerte

Abstract

Currently, the avocado variety strong, in addition to its good sensory potential, has magnificent characteristics such as oil content, thick skin and late ripening; that put it at the top to be produced, sold and consumed globally. The present investigation studied the effect of the application of modified atmospheres on the physicochemical characteristics and shelf life of the strong variety avocado. The concentrations of the applied gases were: Modified Atmosphere1: 2 percent Oxygen - 3 percent Carbon Dioxide - 95 percent Nitrogen, Modified Atmosphere2: 3 percent Oxygen - 5 percent Carbon Dioxide - 92 percent Nitrogen, Modified Atmosphere3: 4 percent Oxygen - 7 percent Carbon Dioxide - 89 percent Nitrogen and Modified Atmosphere 4: 2 percent Oxygen - 10 percent Carbon Dioxide - 88 percent Nitrogen. The analyzes carried out on the fruit included: weight loss (percentage), firmness (Newton), color (CIE-Lab parameters, tone, chroma and darkening index), titratable acidity (percentage of tartaric acid), dry matter (percentage), fat (percentage) and pH; analyzes on each sample were performed for 60 days, often every 10 days. The results obtained showed that the Modified Atmosphere1 mixture: 2 percent Oxygen - 3 percent Carbon Dioxide - 95 percent Nitrogen, obtained better physicochemical characteristics of the avocado, such as: greater amount of fat, less weight loss, less titratable acidity and higher pH. Which met the quality standards for consumption; established in the INEN 1755: 2009 standard.