Surface coating and storage effects on mandarin (Citrus unshiu Marc.) fruit quality : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Applied Science at Massey University

Abstract

Satsuma mandarin grown in the marginal climate of New Zealand has a niche market in Japan and properly managed this trade has good prospects for expanding. The internal quality of satsuma usually do not reach the minimum requirement of a total soluble solids (TSS) to titratable acid ratio of 10:1 during the harvest season with conventional management, thus lowering the export quantity. Two cultivars of mandarin fruit from Kerikeri, Gisborne and Bay of Plenty were picked on 4-5 dates to record the pattern of quality change and to investigate the effect of storage temperature, storage period and surface coatings on the keeping quality and acceptability of mandarin. The TSS and colour of fruit remained mostly similar while the titratable acidity showed a downward trend as the harvest season progressed in the three districts. The TSS:acid ratio increased due to the progressive decrease in juice acidity. At no harvest did mandarin fruit reached the desired TSS:acid ratio of 10:1. 'Silverhill' had higher a TSS:acid ratio than 'Miyagawa' during the harvest season in all districts. Fruit from Gisborne had the highest ratio while Bay of Plenty had the lowest. The juice TSS remained similar during storage except in late harvested 'Miyagawa' fruit it increased after 3 weeks cold storage storage at 6°C plus one week at 20°C. Titratable acidity always decreased as the storage period progressed. Provided fruit of both cultivars is not harvested too early it can be improved to meet Japanese market internal quality standards by about 1 month in cold storage. This results from a 20-30% decline in juice titratable acidity. Fruit dipped in one of the three coatings carnauba, 'Citruseal' (polyethylene) and 'Citrus Gleam' (shellac) had similar TSS, titratable acid, TSS:acid ratio and colour during 6 weeks cold storage at 6°C and one week at 20°C. During this period the coated fruit accumulated high levels of acetaldehyde, ethanol and carbon dioxide and low levels of oxygen, especially when coated with carnauba or shellac. The resultant off-flavours made the juice unpalatable within as little as 3 weeks at 6°C. Holding fruit at 20°C accelerated these undesirable changes. Fruit dipped in shellac had higher levels of off-flavours present compared to sprayed fruit. Increasing the shellac coating by a double dip accentuated its effect on fruit oxygen and carbon dioxide in storage. Coated fruit consistently had a lower level of weight loss compared to uncoated during cold storage (6°C) and at 20°C. Fruit stored at 60% relative humidity had >5% weight loss which is commercial unacceptable.