Respiration studies of custard apple (Annona squamosa L) fruit under different maturity levels at ambient and refrigerated condition

Custard Apple or Seethaphal is a tropical fruit tree that grows easily. The flesh is white and creamy with a sugary taste. The seeds are black in colour with a shine. Custard apple is nutritious and available at a reasonably cheaper price. Being a high respiring fruit, custard apple cannot be stored for a long period. Respiration rates in custard apple (Annona squamosa L) at 3 different maturity levels/stages (matured fruit, 1 day before maturity and 2 days before maturity) were placed at 3 different temperatures (ambient, 20°C and 15°C) for the respiration studies. A typical climacteric peak (104.23 mg CO₂ kg^-1 h^-1) was noticed on the second day of storage in fruits harvested at matured stage at ambient condition. At 20°, the respiration peak of 56.32 mg CO₂ kg^-1 h^-1 was observed on the 2^nd day of storage in matured fruits. On 3^rd day of storage at 15°C, fruits harvested at maturity showed the respiration peak of 27.42 mg CO₂ kg^-1 h^-1.