Difference between revisions of "Starfruit"

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{{Infobox_Fruit
 
{{Infobox_Fruit
 
| image                              = starfruit.jpg
 
| image                              = starfruit.jpg
| carrying temperature                = 12°C to 16°C°
+
| carrying temperature                = 5°C to 10°C (depending on cultivar and production area)
 
| highest freezing point              = -  
 
| highest freezing point              = -  
 
| acceptable product temp            = Max. 2°C above carrying temperature
 
| acceptable product temp            = Max. 2°C above carrying temperature
| Optimum humidity                    = 85%-90%
+
| Optimum humidity                    = 90%
| Ventilation setting for containers  = 25 m³/hr   
+
| Ventilation setting for containers  = 10 m³/hr   
| Storage life                        = 2-3 weeks
+
| Storage life                        = 3 to 5 weeks
| Climateric / non-climateric        = Climacteric
+
| Climateric / non-climateric        = Non-climacteric
| Ethylene production                = Very high
+
| Ethylene production                = Low
| Ethylene sensitivity                = High
+
| Ethylene sensitivity                = Low
 
| Modified / controlled atmosphere    = See text
 
| Modified / controlled atmosphere    = See text
| Potential benefits                  = -
+
| Potential benefits                  = See text
| Locations                          = On demand
+
| Locations                          = South America
 
| Months                              =   
 
| Months                              =   
 
}}
 
}}
 
==Harvesting and handling==
 
==Harvesting and handling==
The [[Sapodilla]] [[fruit]] is a fleshy berry, ellipsoidal, conical or oval, and contain one or several shiny black [[seeds]]. It has a dull brown colour and thin skin and yellowish light brown or red pulp. Sapodilla [[fruit]] are prized for pleasant aroma and sweet taste. The fruit are very susceptible to mechanical injury.
 
  
The optimum harvest time is difficult to determine. Full mature fruit will have a brown skin, and fruit will separate easily from the stem without leaking latex. Extent of scurfiness is also a good indicator of maturity. A fruit with a smooth surface, shining potato colour and rounded styler end is considered mature.
+
Harvesting is based on physiological and horticultural maturity as indicated by skin colour change from green to yellowish-green, then to full yellow or yellowish-orange. Optimum sugars are achieved at the full yellow colour, however, ripe [[fruit]] are more fragile and easily damaged, hence, fruit are frequently harvested at the colour break stage. Fruit that are 50% to 70% yellow are firmer than full-colour fruit, and hence are regarded as commercially mature. Fruit continue to develop colour after harvest, although there is little other change in quality. [[Carambola]] is a non-climacteric [[fruit]].
  
Fruit harvested later than optimum time usually soften very rapidly and become very difficult to handle. Fruit harvested earlier than physiological maturity may not soften, are usually low in sweetness and high in astringency when ripe, with a rather unappealing alcoholic aftertaste, and form pockets of coagulated latex that lower quality.  
+
The major problem is physical injury, especially on the rib edges, that leads to browning. Injury due to abrasion and impact can be avoided by careful handling. Browning due to mechanical injury can intensify with water loss. Fruit that have lost about 5% of their weight due to water loss show visible symptoms of dehydration.
  
 
==Cooling and storage==
 
==Cooling and storage==
Postharvest life is 2 to 3 weeks at 12°C to 16°C with 85% to 90% relative humidity.  
+
(Pre-)cool to 4°C to 10°C by forced-air room-cooling as soon as possible after harvest.
  
Storage life of sapodilla is extended by use of MA and removal of ethylene. Storage in 5% to 10% CO<SUB>2</SUB> enriched atmospheres delays ripening.  
+
Though a tropical fruit, Carambolas can be stored at 5°C with 90% to 95% relative humidity for 3 to 5 weeks. The length of storage varies with ripeness when placed in storage. Lower relative humidity results in more severe rib edge browning; if held at 20°C and 60% relative humidity, the fruit has a storage-life of 3 to 4 days.  
  
Sapodilla fruit are highly susceptible to chilling injury. Storage of fruit at 6°C to 10°C causes irreversible damage and results in poor flavour.  
+
Carambolas are not especially chilling sensitive. However, during low temperature storage at 0°C or 5°C for 2 and 6 weeks, respectively, some small surface pitting and rib edge browning can occur. The severity of injury increases with storage time. Greener fruit are more susceptible to injury. This symptom can also be seen with desiccation and may not be true chilling injury. Humidity lower than 90% results in more severe symptoms of rib browning.  
  
 +
Waxing also delays water loss and de-greening.
 +
 
==Mixed loads==
 
==Mixed loads==
Sapodilla fruit are sensitive to ethylene; do not ship with other ethylene-producing commodities.
+
-
  
==Cautions==
+
==Controlled Atmosphere (CA) consideration==
Avoid chilling temperatures (below 12°C). Exposure to CO<SUB>2</SUB> concentrations of >10% may damage the appearance and taste of sapodilla.
+
Fruit held at 7°C in 2,2% to 4,2% O2 with 8% to 8,2% CO2 retained colour and firmness more than fruit held in air.  
  
 
==Storage disorders==
 
==Storage disorders==
Chilling injury, Phytophthora, Pestalotiopsis, Phomopsis.
+
Alternaria rot, Chilling injury, Cladosporium cladosporiodes, Botryodiplodia theobromae.
 +
 
 +
 
  
  
 
[[Category:Perishables]]
 
[[Category:Perishables]]
 
[[Category:Products]]
 
[[Category:Products]]

Revision as of 11:28, 28 March 2012

Infobox on Starfruit
Example of Starfruit
Starfruit.jpg
Freshness facts
Optimum carrying temperature 5°C to 10°C (depending on cultivar and production area)
Highest freezing point -
Acceptable product temp. at loading into containers Max. 2°C above carrying temperature
Optimum humidity 90%
Ventilation setting for containers 10 m³/hr
Storage life 3 to 5 weeks
Climacteric / non-climacteric Non-climacteric
Ethylene production Low
Ethylene sensitivity Low
Modified / controlled atmosphere See text
Potential benefits See text
Availability
South America

Starfruit

Harvesting and handling

Harvesting is based on physiological and horticultural maturity as indicated by skin colour change from green to yellowish-green, then to full yellow or yellowish-orange. Optimum sugars are achieved at the full yellow colour, however, ripe fruit are more fragile and easily damaged, hence, fruit are frequently harvested at the colour break stage. Fruit that are 50% to 70% yellow are firmer than full-colour fruit, and hence are regarded as commercially mature. Fruit continue to develop colour after harvest, although there is little other change in quality. Carambola is a non-climacteric fruit.

The major problem is physical injury, especially on the rib edges, that leads to browning. Injury due to abrasion and impact can be avoided by careful handling. Browning due to mechanical injury can intensify with water loss. Fruit that have lost about 5% of their weight due to water loss show visible symptoms of dehydration.

Cooling and storage

(Pre-)cool to 4°C to 10°C by forced-air room-cooling as soon as possible after harvest.

Though a tropical fruit, Carambolas can be stored at 5°C with 90% to 95% relative humidity for 3 to 5 weeks. The length of storage varies with ripeness when placed in storage. Lower relative humidity results in more severe rib edge browning; if held at 20°C and 60% relative humidity, the fruit has a storage-life of 3 to 4 days.

Carambolas are not especially chilling sensitive. However, during low temperature storage at 0°C or 5°C for 2 and 6 weeks, respectively, some small surface pitting and rib edge browning can occur. The severity of injury increases with storage time. Greener fruit are more susceptible to injury. This symptom can also be seen with desiccation and may not be true chilling injury. Humidity lower than 90% results in more severe symptoms of rib browning.

Waxing also delays water loss and de-greening.

Mixed loads

-

Controlled Atmosphere (CA) consideration

Fruit held at 7°C in 2,2% to 4,2% O2 with 8% to 8,2% CO2 retained colour and firmness more than fruit held in air.

Storage disorders

Alternaria rot, Chilling injury, Cladosporium cladosporiodes, Botryodiplodia theobromae.