Post-harvest evaluation of 'dekopon' tangerins submitted to different uv radiation time c and refrigeration temperatures

Citriculture has a strong economic impact on the Brazilian trade balance, and the study of the ‘Dekopon’ variety comes as a technological advance meeting the demands of the market. However, this fruit still needs techniques that aim to maintain its post-harvest qualities. Therefore, the objective of this research was to physically and chemically evaluate the 'Dekopon' mandarin fruits by analyzing the influence of the application of different times of type C Ultraviolet Radiation (UVC), associated with different storage temperatures. The fruits were harvested in a commercial orchard and the analyzes developed in laboratory research with the data submitted to analysis of variance (P <0.05), and comparison of means by Scott-Knott at 5% probability. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design (DIC), with 3 repetitions in a 4x3x6 factorial scheme, with 4 times of 0, 3, 6 and 9 minutes of UVC radiation; 24, 12 and 6 ºC of refrigeration temperatures at 0, 6, 12, 18, 24 and 30 days of analysis, respectively. The following were evaluated: loss of mass, color, soluble solids, hydrogen potential, titratable acidity, maturation index, geometric characteristics, ascorbic acid, texture and fractions of the fruit. It was concluded that storage at 12ºC made it possible to maintain desirable post-harvest characteristics for a longer period, and the 3-minute radiation time promoted similar performance.