POSTHARVEST TREATMENTS FOR STRAWBERRIES {Fragaria x ananassa} USING MICROWAVE HEATING

摘要

Protocols involving hot water bath assisted by microwave (MW) heating were developed and tested as potential post-harvest treatments for strawberries. Strawberries were exposed to 2450 MHz MW energy for 2 min 40 s at 70% of power, and 1 min 50 s at 90% of power, to reach 45°C at the fruit center. Another set was treated in hot water at 45°C for 15 min as a control. After 9-days refrigerated storage (3°C and 90% RH), the MW treatment showed the lowest population of yeast and molds with a small or no significant difference in other quality parameters.