Pre- and Postharvest Nutritional Value and Storage Ability of Scallop Squash Cultivars

Abstract

Scallop squash fruit may be harvested and supplied to the fresh market at different stages of maturity. However, small size and immature fruit, preferred by the consumers and food industry, have only a limited storage life, which duration, among others, depends on cultivar characteristic. The objective of the study was to evaluate the storage ability and pre- and postharvest nutritional value of small size fruit of 'Disco', 'Polo F1', 'Sunny Delight F1', 'Gagat' and 'Okra' scallop squash cultivars. Fruit with diameter 3-6 cm, harvested at the time of maximum fruiting, were placed in the storage room with temperature 7 C, and relative humidity > 95% for the period of 1 or 2 weeks. Results of the study showed that prolonged up to 14 days period of fruit storage caused a drastic, within 9.95% - 13.95% weight loss, which was associated with visual symptoms of wilting and significant decrease of dry matter, sugars, vitamin C, carotenoids and nitrates contents. Among examined cultivars, the best suitable for the short storage, lasted no longer than 7 days, appeared to be 'Disco' and 'Okra'. 'Sunny Delight F1', the only one cultivar with yellow color of skin, containing high amounts of vitamin C and polyphenols and showing low tendency to nitrates accumulation, similarly as 'Gagat' and 'Polo F1', were less suitable for short period of cold storage.