FACTORS ESSENTIAL FOR POST-HARVEST SHELF-LIFE EXTENSION OF CARICA PAPAYA L FRUITS Louis Egwari, Margaret Oniha, Isaac Ogunbunmi Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria

Egwari, L. O. and Oniha, M. I. and Ogunbunmi, I. (2015) FACTORS ESSENTIAL FOR POST-HARVEST SHELF-LIFE EXTENSION OF CARICA PAPAYA L FRUITS Louis Egwari, Margaret Oniha, Isaac Ogunbunmi Department of Biological Sciences, Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Agriculture and Food, 3. pp. 392-397. ISSN 1314-8591

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Abstract

Abstract The burden of disease of Carica papaya L may account for its reduced commercial value. As much as the fruit is cherished amongst Nigerians its cultivation at commercial scale is limited. There are presently no industries in Nigeria utilizing the fruits or part of the plant for beverage production or in other industrial processes. This study was carried out to identify those factors that can be modified to extend the shelf-life of the fruit thereby enhancing its industrial value as a commercial crop. A 4 year field and experimental investigations in a monoculture C. papaya model demonstration farm revealed the following. Maturity of fruit and timing harvest are most critical in prolonging and by 25% shelf-life of healthy harvested fruit. Age of the plant which co-related with susceptibility to disease was evident in stands 2 years and older. Mechanical damage associated with harvesting technique and activities of pests (arthropods, molluscs, millipedes and bird), and farm maintenance played significant roles on the post-harvest quality of the fruit. Adequate understanding of the interplay of these factors and their regulation can be harnessed for extending the shelf-life of C. papaya fruit. Keywords: carica papaya fruit, disease incidence, post-harvest, shelf-life

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	carica papaya fruit, disease incidence, post - harvest, shelf - life
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General)
Divisions:	Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences
Depositing User:	Prof. Louis Osayenum Egwari
Date Deposited:	28 Sep 2015 14:58
Last Modified:	05 Feb 2016 14:11
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/5445

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