ALTERNATIVE COVERING IN THE SHELF LIFE CONSERVATION OF YELLOW PASSION FRUIT PRODUCED IN ORGANIC SYSTEM

The present work had the objective to evaluate different substances: carnauba's wax, latex rubber tree, solution of calcium chloride and cassava starch in the shelf life of the yellow passion fruit stored under temperature atmosphere. Fruits selected, washed and sanitized with chlorinated water in 150 mg L-1, were submitted by the following treatment: 1 - control, washed and sanitized; 2 - immerse in carnauba's wax (Fruit Wax); 3 - immerse in rubber tree latex, diluted in proportion of 1:3 (v/v); 4 - solution of calcium chloride in 1%; 5 - cassava starch in 2%. The experimental design was completely randomized in split-plot arrangement. The plot corresponded to the storage period (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 days) and the split-plot by the treatments, with 3 repetitions of 4 fruits each. The fresh weight of the fruit, fresh weight of the pulp, titratable acidity (TA), soluble solids (SS), ratio SS/TA and ascorbic acid of the yellow passion fruit was not affected by the coating with Fruit Wax, rubber tree latex, calcium chloride and cassava starch. The rubber tree latex, similar to the product commercialized as carnauba's wax was the most efficient coating, reducing the mass loss and the shriveling index and increasing in 4 and 3 days, respectively the shelf life of the fruits.