Effects of Curing, Fungicide and Shrink Wrap on the Storage Life of Bitter Lemons

The effects of chemical and physical treatments on the storage life of bitter lemons in Jiroft, Kerman province, were investigated. After harvesting, the lemons were treated by curing, fungicide, waxed paper, shrink wrap or using a combination of these treatments. The samples were stored in standard citrus fruit boxes for three months at 85-90% relative humidity at a temperature of 3°C. Once a month, the percentage of vitamin C, weight decrease, taste, hardness and rate of decay were recorded. It was found that the curing and fungicide treatments significantly reduced penicillium Sp. and aspergillus Sp. in the fruit. The fungicide, fungicide with waxed paper and fungicide with shrink wrap treatments retained the highest percentage of juice (hardness). The treatments of curing with waxed paper, shrink wrap with fungicide and shrink wrap had the highest percentage of vitamin C. Taste and hardness decreased during storage. Shrink wrap with curing, fungicide with shrink wrap and curing were effective in reducing the rate of decay in the lemons. The combined treatment of fungicide with curing and shrink wrap is recommended for the storage of bitter lemons because it not only controlled penicillium Sp. and aspergillus Sp., but also prevented weight loss and was more economical in comparison with the other treatments.