Evaluation of post-harvest behavior in cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L Mill)

This trial was done with the objective to determine the conservation period in good trade conditions of the cactus pear variety "amarilla sin espinas". Two harvest systems, with glove and scissors, and two systems of cleaning the fruit, with vegetal broom and brush were practiced. In all the cases the fruits were sunken in vegetal wax, using two different methods: pure wax and water diluted wax (1:1). The trials, twelve including the control without wax, were kept on camera at 5 degrees C and 85% of humidity, during 30 days. The scissors cut fruits, brushed and protected with pure wax were the best conserved during this period. The rest of the treatments showed different grade of deshydratation and pathogens attack, characters that reduce the commercial quality.