Effect of UV-C irradiation on postharvest quality of 'Phulae' pineapple

The effect of UV-C radiation on postharvest quality of pineapple cv. 'Phulae' was investigated. The pineapples were divided into 4 treatments: 10-min UV-C irradiation (13.2 kJ m−2), 20-min UV-C irradiation (26.4 kJ m−2), 30-min UV-C irradiation (39.6 kJ m−2) and no UV-C irradiation as a control. Quality properties including disease incidence, internal browning, colour, total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), vitamin C content, total phenolic compound, total flavonoid content and antioxidant activity were measured every 7 days up to 28 days after irradiation. The results showed that UV-C radiation significantly reduced (P < 0.05) disease incidence and internal browning in pineapple during storage at 10 °C for 28 days. The lower disease incidence was observed in the higher dose of UV-C radiation. No significant difference among treatments were found on colour, TSS and TA. The UV-C irradiation significantly increased (P < 0.05) total phenolic compound, total flavonoid and antioxidant capacity in peel; however, UV-C enhanced vitamin C content in pulp.