Fruit quality: The data on fruit quality is presented in Table 2. It
was observed that total soluble solids (10.5°B) and total sugars
(6.95%) of untreated fruits which were fairly low initially increased
to the maximum value up to 45 days of storage (13°B and 8.19%)
and thereafter sharp decline was noticed indicating faster
metabolic rates of the fruit. However, the fruits given postharvest
dips in 4 per cent calcium chloride recorded more steady changes
and registered maximum total soluble solids (14°B) and total
sugars (8.30%) after 60 days of storage and declined gradually
thereafter. The fruit dipped in 4 per cent calcium chloride accounted
for highest total soluble solids and total sugars at the end of
stipulated storage period of 75 days. Hydrolysis of starch yielding
mono- and disaccharides could be one of the reasons for the
increase in TSS and total sugars, as on complete hydrolysis
of starch, no further increase occurs and subsequently, a decline
in these parameters is predictable as they are the primary substrates
for respiration11. In the present studies, calcium had probably