Seasonal Difference of Fruit Quality Attributes and Physiological Disorders in Paprika Cultivars under a Simulated Export System

This study evaluated seasonal changes in various fruit quality attributes and the incidence of physiological disorders in the blocky and conical types of paprika cultivars using a simulated export system. The effects of three different pericarp colors were also investigated. ‘Scirocco’, ‘DSP 7054’, and ‘Volante’ cultivars were used as a blocky type, while ‘Raon red’, ‘Raon orange’, and ‘Raon yellow’ cultivars were used as a conical type with red, orange, and yellow pericarp color, respectively. The fruit was shipped at 10°C for two weeks, stored at 10°C for one week, and then transferred at 22°C for one week to simulate export by shipping. Storage temperatures and relative humidity levels greatly fluctuated in the winter season as compared to the summer season. Thus, fruit weight loss was higher in the winter season than in the summer season regardless of the cultivar type. However, the pericarp firmness was lower in the winter season. The soluble solids content and titratable acidity were higher in conical type than in the blocky type of paprika cultivar and highest in the ‘Raon red’ cultivar. The pericarp lightness and hue angle responded differently during the export season, depending on the pericarp color and fruit type. The incidence and severity of fruit shriveling were higher in the winter season than in the summer season, irrespective of the cultivar. Fruit shriveling was less severe in the conical type than in the blocky type, regardless of the pericarp color. Moreover, the incidence and severity of fruit softening, pedicel wilting, and pedicel browning were higher in the winter season than in the summer season. Therefore, the results indicate that the storage humidity levels likely play a pivotal role in the postharvest handling of paprika fruit quality during the seasonal export period. Thus, careful consideration of various techniques that are contingent upon the season of export and the specific type of fruit is required.