Effects of Postharvest Curing Treatment on Quality of Citrus Fruit

In this study we evaluated the effect of temperature and time on oranges decay development of Penicillium digitatum and Penicillium italicum, the most postharvest diseases of citrus fruit. The assays carried out in inoculated ‘Valencia late’ oranges showed in both seasons an excellent control of both pathogens, when fruits were exposed to treatments at 40°C for 18 h, and stores for 5 days at 5°C plus 7 days at 20°C. Concerning quality changes slightly effects were observed on fruits submitted to curing treatment. These results suggest that this treatment could be an environmental friendly alternative to chemical fungicides in oranges packinghouses.