EFFECT OF PRE-COOLING ON STORAGE BEHAVIOUR OF PEACH FRUITS. K. Jawandha, H. Singh, Kirandeep Kaur and Anita AroraAbstract Low chill varieties of peach are grown commercially in Punjab. Among these varieties Shan-i-Punjab occupied the prime position. Fruits of this cultivar matures in the hot & dry period of the year that leads to heavy post harvest losses. Pre-cooling of the produce immediately after harvest effects the post harvest life and quality. An experiment comprised forced air cooling and hydro-cooling of peach fruits was conducted to maintain the post harvest health of fruits cv. Shan-i-Punjab. Pre-cooled fruits were packed in CFB boxes and placed at 0-1o C and 90-95% RH for 35 days. Stored fruits were analysed for various physico-chemical characteristics after 7, 14, 21, 28 and 35 days of storage. Results revealed that fruits pre-cooled through forced air cooling method registered minimum physiological loss in weight, no spoilage and maximum firmness, sensory quality rating & acidity at the end of storage. After 35 days of cold storage forced air precooled fruits were found in acceptable condition.
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