‘Valencia’ oranges (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) were obtained
from a commercial orchard in Tortosa (Catalonia, Spain) and used
immediately after harvest. Harvests were carried out on the 20th
March (harvest 1), 30th April (harvest 2) and 29th June (harvest 3),
2010. Harvest 1 was considered as prior to commercial maturity
(immatureharvest),harvest 2 was consideredcommercialmaturity
(commercial harvest) and harvest 3 was considered past maturity
(over-mature harvest). Fruit were selected for uniform size,
without physical injuries or apparent infections. Once the oranges
arrived at the laboratory, they were surface disinfected with 10%
sodium hypochlorite for 1 min, rinsed with tap water, and allowed
to dry at room temperature. Colour, firmness, soluble solids, and
acidity were determined as quality parameters at each harvest date.