Use of differential scanning calorimetry for characterizing fruit respiration under hypoxia.
Rivera Domínguez M., Yahia E. M.
Author Affiliation: CIAD, AC Apartado Postal 1735, Hermosillo, Sonora 83000, Mexico.
: 554-561
Abstract : Modified and controlled atmospheres with ?0.5% O2 and/or ?50% CO2 are insecticidal. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to characterize the differences in response between avocado cv. Hass and mango cv. Keitt fruits to these atmospheres, and to relate that to the respective sensitivity and tolerance of these 2 fruits to hypoxia. Fresh and lyophilized tissues of fruits stored in air or in an insecticidal atmosphere were scanned at a temperature range of 10-145°C at a rate of 10°/min. There were qualitative and quantitative differences between thermograms. There were fewer endotherms in thermograms of fresh tissue samples than in lyophilized tissue samples. Avocado thermograms showed a major endotherm at ~15° and 2 minor ones at ~105-110°. In addition, the mango thermograms showed another major endotherm at ~80°. This endotherm was not present in the avocado thermograms and might represent a contributing factor in the tolerance of mango to insecticidal atmospheres.