Postharvest quality of summer squash related to maturity stage at harvest

The objective of this work was to evaluate the influence of harvest at maturity on the composition, quality, and postharvest life of zapallito squash (Cucurbita maxima var. zapallito). Fruit were harvested at three developmental stages - small, medium, and large, with 30, 70, and 90?10-mm diameter, respectively - and were stored at 0 and 5?C for 26 days and, then, at 20?C for 2 days. The following parameters were determined: respiration, firmness, color, chlorophyll content, carotenoids, sugars, acidity, phenolic compounds, antioxidants, decay, mass loss, and chilling injury (CI). Small light-colored squashes were more prone to dehydration and decay. Delaying harvest markedly reduced fruit carotenoid contents, acidity, and respiration rate; however, it did not affect firmness nor sugar content. Chlorophyll showed an increasing trend during fruit development. Small squashes had 100% higher levels of phenolic compounds and antioxidants than medium and large fruit, but were more sensitive to CI. No differences for CI susceptibility were observed between medium and large fruit. The quality of small, medium, and large squashes remained acceptable for 12, 19, and 26 days at 5?C, respectively, plus 2 days at 20?C. SourcesMaturity at harvest and postharvest quality of summer squashJuan Facundo Massolo(1) *, Juan Manuel Zarauza(1), Joaqu?n H?ctor Hasperu?(2), Luis Mar?a Rodoni(2), Ariel Roberto Vicente(2)(1) Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Centro de Investigaci?n y Desarrollo en Criotecnolog?a de Alimentos, Calle 47 y 116, CP (1900) La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: facundomassolo@quimica.unlp.edu.ar, jmzarauza14@gmail.com(2) Universidad Nacional de La Plata, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias y Forestales, Laboratorio de Investigaci?n en Productos Agroindustriales, Calle 60 y 119, s/no, CP (1900) La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina. E-mail: joacohasperue@quimica.unlp.edu.ar, luisrodoni@agro.unlp.edu.ar, arielvicente@quimica.unlp.edu.arPesq. agropec. bras. vol.54 Bras?lia 2019 Epub June 10, 2019http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/s1678-3921.pab2019.v54.00133?Picture by?Mercado de Chamart?n,?Zapallitos, rellenos o en tortilla ?