Effects of KMnO4 and 1–MCP with modified atmosphere on postharvest conservation of Cantaloupe melon

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the potassium permanganate (KMnO4) and 1-MetilCicloPropeno (1-MCP), associated with passive modified atmosphere (PMA), as postharvert conservation of the Cantaloupe melon (Cucumis melon L). The fruits were obtained in the farm Dinamarca Indústria Agrícola, in Mossoró/RN, Brazil. They were collected in the standard of exportation and sent to the Embrapa Agroindústria Tropical, in Fortaleza/CE, where they were selected, treated with carnaúba wax in the grain stalk. Four fruits were conditioned in a box and packed in X-tend bags with sachês of vermiculita with KMnO4. The treatments were: no treatment, 1; 2; 3 g of KMnO4 kg-1 and 600 ppb of 1-MCP. The fruits were stored for 14 days in temperature of 3 ± 2°C and relative humidity of 85 ± 2%. After this period, they were removed from the packings and stored 8 days in ambient temperature (23 ± 2 °C) and relative humidity of 90 ± 2%, being evaluated each 2 days (0; 2; 4; 6 and 8 days). It was evaluated loss of mass, notes of appearance, firmness of the rind and the pulp, total soluble solids, titulável total acidity and pH, total soluble sugars and coloration. Results showed that treatments were not statistically significant, when compared with the use of refrigeration associated to PMA. Therefore, the employed of permanganate is not justified in the evaluated conditions, since it will raised the cost of production.