Fruit size affected the SERB level and bioactive compounds of ‘Thomson Navel’ orange fruit during cold storage

The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of fruit size on bioactive compounds content and occurrence of stem-end rind breakdown (SERB) of ‘Thomson Navel’ orange fruit during cold storage. Harvested fruits were sorted based on size as small (with weight average of 130 g), medium (weight average of 220 g) and big (weight average of 310 g) and then stored for 18 weeks in cold storage. Peel and pulp tissues were sampled separately to determine the changes of bioactive compounds as well as SERB level. The results showed that bioactive compounds of ‘Thomson Navel’ orange fruit significantly affected by fruit size at the harvest time as well as during cold storage. It was revealed that medium sized fruits had the lowest SERB index. Moreover, significant correlations were found between SERB percentage and SERB index with some bioactive compounds especially in peel tissue. The significant effects of fruit size on bioactive compounds as well as SERB level demonstrate the importance of sorting programs on postharvest quality of ‘Thomson Navel’ orange fruits.