Pre-Storage Steam Treatment Extends the Shelflife of Lemon Fruits at Ambient Storage Conditions

• T. Abiola

  Department of Biology, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure Nigeria

  Author

• O. Prudence

  Department of Biology, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure Nigeria

  Author

The exposure of Citrus fruits to heat treatment prior to storage affects the shelf-life. Treatment of whole lemon fruits with steam showed advantage by reducing decay occurrence significantly, with exposure to 55 ͦ C for 25 minutes being the most effective in this trial. There was absence of rot on heat treated fruits until the 28th day of storage while rot appeared on 4% of control fruits on the 21st day. Treatment generally resulted into more juice retention in the fruits especially those treated at 55 ͦ C for 35 minutes. Steam treatment resulted into slightly significant reduced acidity measured as titratable acidity noticed only on the 21st day. Apart from this, the TA remained unaltered by treatment and storage. The pH also, though initially unaffected, reduced significantly in fruits that received more severe heat treatment except those most severely heated at 60 ͦ C for 35 minutes, but this was observed only during extended storage beyond 7 days across all treatments. Fungi associated with rotten fruits included Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Penicillium italicum, Alternaria citri, Geotrichum candidum and Aspergillus niger. Results indicate that steam treatment had slightly significant preservative effect on fresh lemon fruits with insignificant changes in quality. The 55 ͦ C for 25 minutes treatment seemed more appropriate for storage life extension at tropical ambient temperature. Steam treatment at the tested conditions seemed advantageous in prolonging storage life of fresh lemons by reducing rot incidence appreciably and retaining the acidity as well as permitting more juice retention in fruits.

1. T. Abiola, Department of Biology, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure Nigeria

   Department of Biology, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure Nigeria

2. O. Prudence, Department of Biology, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure Nigeria

   Department of Biology, The Federal University of Technology, P.M.B. 704 Akure Nigeria

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