Postharvest Changes in Sapota Cv. ‘Kalipatti’: I-Effect of Various Postharvest Treatments on Biochemical Changes

Abstract

Sapota fruits of CV. ‘Kalipatti’ were subjected to various post harvest treatments viz; GA 300 ppm, kinetin 100 ppm and silver nitrate 40 ppm. Changes in respiration, ethylene production and relative activities of catalase and pectin methyl esterase enzymes under the influence of the treatments during ripening were estimated. It was found that all these treatments slowed down the process of ripening by retarding the pre-climacteric respiration rate and ethylene production and through pystponement of their climacteric peaks vis a vis control. These changes lead to reduced degradative melabolism in terms of catalase and PME activities and thus helpful in extending shelf life of sapota fruits.