THE IMPACT OF POST-HARVEST STORAGE OF PAPAYA AT ROOM TEMPERATURE ON METABOLIC REPROGRAMMING AND ITS EFFECT ON SELECTED BIOACTIVE METABOLITE

Abstract

Papaya is an important tropical fruit that has great nutritional and economical value. During post-harvest storage of ripened papayas, they undergo a series of metabolite changes such as accumulation of carotenoids, degradation of chlorophyll, and synthesis of low-weight metabolites. A qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major bioactive components found in the peel and pulp of ripened papayas were conducted during their storage at room temperature for six days. The results showed an enhanced accumulation of carotenoids and polyphenols in ripened papayas during storage. With an increase in the storage period, there was a reduction in the total chlorophyll, anthocyanin, and flavonoid content of ripened papayas. These results indicate that increase in the storage period of ripened papayas may adversely affect the biochemical composition of ripened papayas.