Effect of pre-transport cold water treatment on postharvest quality of pawpaw fruits.

The study determined how the quality of marketable fruits of papaya (Carica. papaya) could be affected by pre-harvest water cooling treatment. Two different fruit shapes (oblong and oval) were harvested on the same day, in November 2010. Fruits were harvested from Edo State of Nigeria and transported by road to Minna, Niger State. The effect of pre-transport cooling on moisture loss; days to ripening and colour change; fruit aroma, fruit rot and firmness/ peelability of the pawpaw fruits were tested. Results showed that untreated fruits lost significantly more moisture than treated fruits. Shrinkage of the fruits began first in untreated fruits, then 2hrs. and finally 5hrs, cold water treated fruits. Oval shaped fruits were better than oblong fruits when fruit firmness/peelability was considered. Since postharvest cooling removes field heat in fruits, proper cooling should suppress enzymatic degradation, lower water loss in fruits thereby prolonging good fruit quality before arrival to consumers’ tables. Key wards: Carica papaya, consuming public, Fruit rot, firmness/peelabilit