Author(s)

Maísa Lamounier Magalhães¹, Luiz Carlos De Oliveira Lima¹, Allan da Silva Lunguinho², Danubia Aparecida De Carvalho Selvati Rezende², Vanuzia Rodrigues Fernandes Ferreira², Rafaela Magalhães Brandão², Josefina Aparecida De Souza², Ellen Cristina De Souza¹, Kátia Júlia De Almeida², David Lee Nelson³, Maria Das Graças Cardoso^2*

¹Departamento de Ciência dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, Brazil.
²Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal de Lavras (UFLA), Lavras, Brazil.
³Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biocombustívis, Universidade Federal do Vale do Jequitinhonha e Mucuri, Diamantina, Brazil.

The possibility of commercialization of Moro blood oranges in tropical countries such as Brazil was evaluated to verify whether post-harvest management through storage at low temperatures for a period of 60 days can improve the bioactive properties and quality parameters. Moro blood oranges cultivated in Brazil did not contain significant amounts of anthocyanins at the time of harvesting, but these compounds were activated by post-harvest management through storage at low temperatures (4°C and 8°C) for a period of 60 days. The emergence of the anthocyanins in the juices occurred within a few weeks of storage, but the maximum levels were attained after 60 days and at the temperature of 8°C. Cold storage positively influenced other bioactive compounds such as total phenolic compounds, individual phenolic compounds, β-carotene and the antioxidant activity determined by the sequestration of DPPH free radicals. It did not influence the vitamin C content. In addition, storage significantly altered the color, total acidity and pH of the fruits, but it did not prevent its commercial use. The remaining quality parameters were not influenced. It is possible to commercialize these oranges in Brazil through post-harvest management.

Cyanidin-3-Glycoside, Antioxidant, Post-Harvest

Magalhães, M. , De Oliveira Lima, L. , da Silva Lunguinho, A. , De Carvalho Selvati Rezende, D. , Ferreira, V. , Brandão, R. , De Souza, J. , De Souza, E. , De Almeida, K. , Nelson, D. and Cardoso, M. (2019) Influence of Cold Storage on the Bioactivity Properties and the Quality of the Juice of Moro Blood Orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck). American Journal of Plant Sciences, 10, 24-37. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2019.101003.