CARICA PAPAYA L. cv. SEKAKI POSTHARVEST TREATMENT BY GAMMA RADIATION AND HOT WATER DIP PROCESS.

Abstract

This study will execute with an objective to select the best postharvest treatment process for Carica Papaya L. cv. Sekaki by hot water dip, irradiation and combination of both treatment to make sure it will reach to the user is in the best quality without any damage and able to keep it good appearance. During the experiment, five types of parameter has being choose to be study including mass lost, skin coloration, pH, total soluble solid (TSS) and phytossanitary quality. Data for mass lost, skin coloration and phytossanitary was collected daily for entire ripening process of thirteen day under controlled temperature starting from maturity index 2 until maturity index 5. On the other hand, data for total soluble solid (TSS) and pH only can collected once the papaya ripen at maturity index 5 after thirteen days of monitory activities. Result of experiment prove that there are no significant different between treatment in all parameters evaluated except for general appearance. Event there are some small difference in total soluble solid, pH and ripening rate, but the value of difference is very small and not significant to be considered. Combination of hot water dip treatment and irradiation treatment gave better appearance and maintained smooth skin compared to other treatment. On the other hand, mechanical or physical injury during harvesting of papaya can increase the probability of being attacked by fungi even the best treatment was given during postharvest treatment process.