The goal of this work was to evaluate the effect of the type of cut the on maintenance quality of fresh-cut 'Menina Brasileira' summer squash stored under refrigeration. Summer squashes were sliced or grated and sanitized with sodium hypochloride solution at 50 mg L-1 for 10 minutes. They were placed in polypropylene packages covered with PVC film (0.020 mm), and stored in cold chamber (6ºC and 95% RH) for 12 days. The following variables were evaluated: Fresh mass loss, pH, soluble solids (SS), L*, C* and h° values, appearance and color. The experiment was carried out in completely random design in factorial scheme (2x5), with two types of cut (sliced e grated) and five times of storage (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days). The fresh mass loss was low, attaining maximal values of 1.5% in grated summer squash. The values of pH in grated summer squashes were lower than in sliced summer squashes from 6th day. Grated summer squashes presented lower SS content than sliced summer squashes, after 3rd day of storage. Higher L* values were found in sliced summer squashes and an increase in that variable was observed during the storage. Sliced summer squash presented lower color losses, based to h° and C* values, and better sensorial acceptability in relation to grated one, with reduction in their scores over the storage period. It was the cut type wich influences the shelf-life of sliced and grated summer squashes, keeping their appearance and physical-chemical characteristics until the 12th day of storage.
Cucurbita moschata; storage; refrigeration
