Visual quality changes are very fast in ‘Possum Purple’
passion fruit stored at 20°C. First evidence of shriveling
develops after 4 days, but the fruit maintains acceptable
visual quality during 6 days (Figure 1.58). Shriveling
increases rapidly afterward and becomes objectionable after
12 days of storage. After 16 days, the fruit color changes
and some areas of the peel develop a reddish-brown discoloration.
Decay develops on the stem-end of fruit after 20
days, creating an area of dark brown discoloration, and after
24 days the internal part of the fruit is also affected by decay,
showing mycelium growth. At this time, there is a marked
reduction in the thickness of the peel, and the color of fl esh
appears less bright greenish-orange and less juicy than at the
time of harvest and releases objectionable odors.