Postharvest respiratory activity and changes in some chemical constituents during maturation of yellow mombin (Spondias mombin) fruit

English. Mature fruit from the yellow mombin (Spondias mombin) was monitored for its respiration activity. Mature green fruit from the yellow mombin was stored in closed glass chambers and the concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the end of a six hour respiration period was determined. At the same interval of time, the lid of the chamber was opened for air renewal. The increase in carbon dioxide and decrease in oxygen concentration demonstrated that the fruit was climacteric. The maximum liberation of CO2 54.2 mL Kg-1 h-1 and maximum absorption of O2 49.0 mL Kg-1 h-1 occurred 186 hours after the harvest which, obviously, represented the optimum fruit quality after the senescence process started. The respiratory quotient of fruit at a climacteric maximum was 1.11 representing the oxidation of carbohydrates. Total soluble solids increased from 9.1 °Brix (initial) to 13.7 °Brix (climacteric maximum) during maturation, while the total number of acids in the fruit decreased during maturation i.e. from 1.55% initially to 1.40% at pre-climacteric, 1.0% at climacteric maximum and 0.8% in the post-climacteric stage. A similar behaviour was observed in the case of ascorbic acid. There was a continuous decrease in chlorophyll and a continuous increase in the carotenoid content of fruit during maturation.

Portuguese. Cajás verde-maduros foram armazenados em recipientes de vidro fechados e a concentração de oxigênio (O2) e de dióxido de carbono (CO2) foi determinada em intervalos de 6 horas. Após a coleta das amostras da atmosfera, as tampas dos recipientes foram abertas para renovação do ar. O aumento da concentração do CO2 e o decréscimo de O2 durante o armazenamento demonstraram o comportamento climatérico da respiração do cajá. A liberação máxima de CO2 54,2 mL kg-1 h-1 e a absorção máxima de O2 49,0 mL kg-1 h-1 ocorreram após 186 horas da colheita, quando o fruto alcançou qualidade máxima, iniciando em seguida a senescência. O quociente de respiração no climatérico máximo foi 1,11, indicando a oxidação de carboidratos. Os Sólidos solúveis aumentaram de 9,1 °Brix iniciais para 13,7 °Brix no climatérico máximo, enquanto a acidez titulável total diminuiu de 1,55% iniciais para 1,40% no climatérico mínimo, 1,00% no climatérico máximo e 0,80% no pós-climatérico. Comportamento similar foi observado em relação aos teores de ácido ascórbico. A Clorofila diminuiu e os carotenóides aumentaram continuamente durante o amadurecimento do Cajá.