As with the results found in experiment 1, the effect
of cutting resulted in an initially high respiration rate
(9–9.5 mg CO2 kg−1 h−1) declining on day 3 to a steady
level until day 6 (3–3.5 mg CO2 kg−1 h−1) (Fig. 5A). During
this period significant differences among treatments were
not found. After 8 days of storage, an increase in CO2
(5–7 mg CO2 kg−1 h−1) was detected, probably due to microbial
growth and/or senescence (Fig. 7) in agreement with
results reported by Aguayo et al. (2004). This response was
not observed in Ca propionate treatment, suggesting this salt
provided a good antimicrobial effect.
A similar trend to the respiration rate was observed in the
C2H4 emission, although cut melon dipped in Ca propionate
showing a lower C2H4 emission compared to the rest of the treatments
(Fig. 5B). At the end of storage, control and Ca carbonate