Overall, approximately 5 days at room temperature
(22°C) was the ripening period for all the
heat shocked, cold storage treatments, Tables 3
and 4, regardless of duration regime (12–28 days)
(Table 4). External quality rating (5, excellent to
1, not acceptable) were of average and slightly
above average rating (slightly above 3) for up to
24 days. Storage for 26 and 28 days resulted in
slightly lower external quality. Regression analysis
showed a negative linear relationship (R2=
0.3626) between external quality rating (y variable)
and duration of cold treatment (x variable),
y= −0.0403x+3.9815, with significant parameter
estimates, P=0.0001 for intercept and P=
0.0007 for the treatment coefficient.