24 h exposure to ethanol removes the astringency in persimmon ?Giombo?

In 2010 crop production of persimmon (Diospyros kaki L.) was 164.495 tons, which gives Brazil in fourth place in world production. The most produced varieties were ?Fuyu? (PCNA) and ?Giombo? (PV). The production of astringent cultivars as ?Giombo? is justified by the delayed harvest allowing a longer period of market supply and export potential. The objective of this study was to determine the most effective time of exposure with ethanol to remove astringency of persimmons ?Giombo? towards the end of harvest. The fruits for the experiment were collected at the 2011 season (July), in Mogi das Cruzes-SP. Samples of five fruits for the initial characterization and for each treatment with ethanol (1.70 mL kg-1) at different exposure times: 0, 12, 24, 36 and 48 hours. After exposure, the fruits were kept at room temperature until the seventh day for removal of astringency. Was evaluated astringency index soluble tannins and total tannins total, ethanol and acetaldehyde. Means comparisons were performed by Tukey test at P < 0.01. Exposure times more efficient for removing astringency of the fruits were 12 and 24 hours. Fruits treated for 24 hours showed lower values for soluble tannins and the index of astringency and higher levels of ethanol. The total tannins content were also affected, occurring oscillation between the treatments when compared to the initial value. Acetaldehyde content increased during treatment but no significant differences was showed between treatments. The exposure fruits was enough for 24 hours for removal astringency of persimmon ?Giombo? harvested of final crop. Original title, authors and sources:Deastringency persimmon ?Giombo? subjected to different exposure times with ethanol M. A. Tessmer1, F. F. C. Sasaki1 and R. A. Kluge11 College of Agriculture ?Luiz de Queiroz?, ESALQ-USP, Department of Biological Sciences, Av. P?dua Dias, 11, CEP 13418-900, Piracicaba-SP, Brazil X Simposio Nacional y VII Ib?rico Sobre Maduraci?n y Postcosecha de Frutas y Hortalizas, Lleida, Espa?a (Spain) 1-4 octubre 2012 The picture belongs to the deastringency equipment by Tecnidex. ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?