The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of cassava starch in postharvest life of fruits 'Tangerine Poncã' during storage at room temperature instead the film of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The fruits were immersed in aqueous suspensions of cassava starch at 0, 1, 2 and 3% (m/v) plus 0.5mL L-1 a mineral oil Assist (Bayer CropScience, company Hoechst Schering AgrEvo UK Ltd. - Inglaterra) and the film of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) of 14µm thick, and stored at room temperature. The samples were collected at time zero (day of the assembly of the experiment) and then every two days. We evaluated the weight loss, juice yield, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (TA), SS / TA and ascorbic acid. The weight loss increased during storage, being more pronounced at a dose of 2%. The reduction in ascorbic acid content was higher in fruits covered with PVC film. The concentration of cassava starch to 1% was the highest values for the maintenance of physical and chemical quality of fruits of 'Mexerica Poncã' during eight days of storage.
Citrus reticulata; cassava starch; conservation; edible film
