Storage of fresh breadfruit

Abstract

Experiments on the storage of breadfruits were carried out to investigate the effects of temperature, packing, harvesting method and cultivar on storage life. Storage life was increased at lower temperatures, but chilling injury appeared at temperature below 12°C. Storage in polyethylene bags or under water (a traditional Jamaican method) extended the storage life· other packing treatments showed no positive effects. Storage life appeared to be unaffected by either stage of maturity at harvest or harvesting method. Fungal and bacterial infections were uncommon and appeared to be un-important in Storage. The rate of weight loss was reduced at lower tem-peratures and by certain packing treatments. Breadfruits appeared to pass through a ripening process similar to that described in other fruits although several anomalies were observed.