Abstract

Two separate studies were conducted to compare and evaluate the storability/shipping potential and fruit quality of "Kinnow‟ mandarin fruit, harvested from four districts [Sargodha (SGD), Khanewal (KHW) Toba Tek Singh (TTS) and Vehari (VHR)] of Punjab province, Pakistan. Fruits were harvested at commercial maturity and evaluated for physico-chemical quality under ambient storage conditions (25±1°C; 60–65% relative humidity/RH) for seven days and cold storage conditions [4±1°C; 85– 90% RH] for thirty and sixty days. Under ambient shelf storage, peel color was improved while decrease in peel smoothness and fruit weight was observed in all districts after shelf storage. Moreover, fruit harvested from SGD had higher fruit firmness and juice contents while weight loss was significantly higher in fruits harvested from KHW as compared to other three districts. Total soluble solids/TSS, TSS/TA (titratable acidity) ratio and vitamin C increased in fruits harvested from VHR and TTS after shelf storage. Under cold storage conditions, fruits harvested from TTS and VHR exhibited higher TSS, TSS/TA ratio, acidity and vitamin C after 2nd removals (60 days of cold storage). However, fruit samples of SGD showed higher juice contents after 1st and 2nd removal while fruit firmness was significantly higher in fruits from VHR after 2nd removal. No symptoms of chilling injury (CI) were observed after 1st removal; however, it was found in samples only from KHW and VHR after 2nd removal. Total phenolic content (TCP) were improved with increase in storage period while antioxidants activity showed non-significant response. In conclusion, fruits harvested from VHR and TTS observed better fruit quality during ambient, and cold storage conditions; and therefore fruits harvested from these two districts showed good potentail for export purpose beside SGD.