| There is some controversy regarding the respiratory pattern of loquat (Eriobotrya japonica [Thunb.] Lindl.). Thus in order to provide information on this aspect of loquat, fruit of 50-70 g, from cv. Golden Nugget were harvested in four stages of maturity: green (BBCH 709), color break (BBCH 801), yellow (BBCH 807), and orange (BBCH 809). The parameters evaluated in each stage were: soluble solids, titratable acidity, respiration, ethylene generation, and activity of the enzymes pectin methyl esterase (PME), peroxidase, polyphenoloxidase (PPO), polygalacturonase (PG), and cellulose, and the soluble solids:acidity ratio was calculated. The results show that ethylene concentration increased at the time of color break, which was not the case for the change in... |
