Postharvest Physiology of Durian Pulp and Husk

Abstract

Pulp and Husk of mature (110±3 days after anthesis) ‘Chanee’ durians were separated from the whole fruit, and measured for their respiration and ethylene production and ethylene production. It was found that most of the activities occurred in the husk, Rate of respiration and ethylene production of the husk at the peak were 550 mg CO₂/kg.hr. and 170 µl/kg.hr., about 5 and 100 folds respectively, to that of the pulp. Other ripening processes, such as softening and starch conversion to sugar in the pulp continued to proceed after separation from the fruit, but the rate depended on the atmospheric composition surrounding the pulp. At 5^oC, whole durian showed chilling symptom, as husk discoloration, within 3 weeks or only one week when the fruit was transferred to room temperature. At this temperature the pulp inside also ripened abnormally. However, ripening processes of the pulp, already separated from the fruit, continued upto the eight weeks, and slight chilling injury showed up after the fourth week at 5^oC.