Rambutan fruit cv. ‘Rong-rein’ (Nephellium lappaceum L.) harvested at color stage 4-5 (light
red peel and green spinterns) were cooled in 2oC, 5oC or 10oC water until 13oC internal temperature
prior to storage at 13oC with 90-95% RH. Hydrocooled fruit showed markedly reduced pericarp
browning quantified as higher L* values than non-hydrocooled fruit (control). Water temperature of
10oC caused the greatest reduction in browning. Lower water temperatures, particularly at 2oC,
induced chill injury shown as increased surface discoloration. Browning severity correlated well with
weight loss which was similarly decreased in hydrocooled fruits. Hydrocooling also retarded
respiration rates and maintained better quality by reducing ascorbic acid and titratable acid loss and
delaying soluble solid increase. Shelf life increased from 4-6 days in the control to 10-14 days in
hydrocooled fruits.