SHELF-LIFE OF MATURE GREEN TOMATOES STORED IN CONTROLLED-ATMOSPHERE AND HIGH HUMIDITY

Freshly harvested mature green tomatoes were washed, sorted and treated with 125 ppm chlorine water. The treated tomatoes were stored at 85% or 98% RH under controlled atmosphere (CA) storage for periods up to 8 wk. The controlled atmosphere was 2.5% O2, 5.0% CO2, and N2 as the balance gas at 12-degrees-C. After storing 40 days, the tomatoes were allowed to ripen in air at 23-degrees-C. Samples of tomatoes were tested every 3 days to examine changes in quality as determined by visual observation, weight loss, titratable acidity, pH, color and firmness. Weight loss was reduced significantly by CA storage of tomatoes at 98% RH. Tomatoes remained green up to 40 days of storage and changed in color gradually during consecutive storage in atmospheric conditions. Appearance of the tomatoes was acceptable after ripening.