Maturity indicators and citrus fruit quality

Citrus fruit are widely consumed and commercialized worldwide. Different destination markets vary in their fruit quality requirements which are also highly influenced by climatic conditions and agronomical and postharvest practices. Therefore, harvest decision is not always easy. The aim of this work is to provide an update of objective information about relevant citrus fruit commercial maturity indices, which are part of quality fruit standards worldwide.FindingsCommercial maturity indices in citrus fruit are highly variable and dependent on citrus species and varieties, growing regions and destination markets. Coloration, soluble solids, acidity and juice content are relevant parameters considered for harvest decision; however, relative importance depends on the citrus variety considered and the distance to the market destination. Maturity indices are an important part of quality standards but not sufficient by themselves to fulfill quality requirements where fruit are classified into different categories (Extra, Category I and Category II). Quality categories are also defined by fruit shape, coloration, peel disorders (shriveling and dehydration, chilling injury or sun burn), pest damages, wind or hail scars, and peel roughness.Directions for future researchSince citrus fruit marketability is also determined by consumer acceptance of the product, the consideration of nutritional or sensorial indexes for pre- and postharvest management should be considered. The availability of new technologies that allow the quantification of different metabolites in a non-destructive way could also help to apply this kind of approach commercially. Complete List of authors and sourceLado, Joanna; Rodrigo, Mar?a Jes?s; Zacar?as, LorenzoStewart Postharvest Review, Volume 10, Number 2, September 2014, pp. 1-6(6)Other contents of the same issue:Citrus fruit quality assessment; producer and consumer perspectives, Elizabeth A. Baldwin, Jinhe Bai, Anne Plotto and Mark A. RitenourIssues in citrus fruit production, Juan Carlos MelgarPublisher: Stewart Postharvest SolutionsKey wordsC?tricos?? ??? ?citrus?? ?sitrus?? ???????? ????? ??? ?agrumes?? ???????????????? ?????????? ??? ?agrume?? ?cytrus?? ?c?trico?? ????????????? ?narenciye?? ?????? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ??? ?Poscosecha?? ?postcosecha?? ?postharvest?? ?na-oes?? ??? ??? ???????? ????? ??? ?post-r?colte?? ????? ?? ??????????? ??? ?na-oogst?? ?post-raccolta?? ?Obr?bka po?? ?p?s-colheita?? ????????????????? ?hasat sonras??? ??? ?Ernte?? ????????????????? ????? ????????????? ?postcollita?? ?poskliz?ov頠 ????? ??? ??? ??? ?nakon branja?? ?pozberov頠 ??? ?obdelovanje zemlje po?? ?post-colleita?? ?????? ??????? ?pascapanen?? ??il?onn postharvest?? ??????? ?p?c ra?as?? ?derliaus apdirbimas po?? ?lepas tuai?? ??? ?? ???????? ?post-recoltare?? ??????? ??????? ???????????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????????? ?sau thu ho?ch?? ?????????????????? ?zangemva kwenkathi yokuvuna