Resumo

GUADARRAMA, Ángel  e  PENA, Yexsi. Respiratory activity vs. physical and chemical changes in calamondin (Citrus x microcarpa Bunge) fruits during ripening. Bioagro [online]. 2013, vol.25, n.1, pp.57-63. ISSN 1316-3361.

Fruit respiratory activity is closely related to changes in maturation, quality and shelf life in storage. In order to know the respiratory pattern of Citrus x microcarpa and its relationship to physical and chemical changes, the present study was conducted using fruits coming from a home garden located in Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela. Fruits were harvested at physiological maturity stage. Starting one day after harvest the respiratory pattern was determined, under storage at room temperature (28 ºC and 60-70 % RH). Parallel analyzes were performed for physical (color, texture, and fresh weight) and chemical (carotenoid content, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity) variables. Respiratory activity was determined by the classical method, based on the collection of CO₂ in alkali. A completely randomized design was used, and results were evaluated under regression and correlation analysis. Fruits increased CO₂ production as ripening time elapsed, reaching its maximum value (32.2 mg CO₂ ·kg^-1 · h^-1) at the sixth day; then CO₂ production began to decrease until it stabilized between the eighth and tenth day. Although these fruits belong to the category of citrus, they showed a respiratory pattern similar to climacteric fruits. The variables closely related to respiration were fresh weight and carotenoid content.

Palavras-chave : Firmness; Brix degree; titratable acidity; carotenoids.

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