This work evaluates the sensory attributes of papaya cv. Golden stored under refrigeration in controlled
atmosphere (CA) with suppressed O2 and increased CO2 levels. Fruit was kept at 13 C in chambers
containing 1% or 3% O2 plus 6% or 12% CO2, with ethylene scrubbing. Fruit of the control treatment was
maintained for 26 d under refrigeration in normal atmosphere. After 20 d of storage the fruit was
maintained for 6 d at 23 C in ambient atmosphere to assure total ripening. Consumer preference
evaluation was performed by untrained panelists (87) based on a nine-point hedonic scale. Mass loss and
changes in peel color were evaluated with 60 replicates per treatment. It was verified that atmospheres
containing 1% or 3% O2 with higher level of CO2 (12%) minimized mass loss and fruit ripening, but
promoted stressful conditions that affected the sensory attributes of the fruit after the storage. T