Laju Respirasi dan Perubahan Karakteristik Mutu Buah Klimakterik dan Non-Klimakterik Selama Penyimpanan

Abstract

Climacteric and non-climacteric fruits differ fundamentally in their respiration patterns and postharvest ripening mechanisms, directly influencing the quality and shelf life of horticultural commodities. This study aimed to examine the dynamics of respiration rate and quality characteristic changes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) as a climacteric fruit and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) as a non-climacteric commodity during storage at 10°C. A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was applied with three replications and observations conducted over four days (D0–D4). Parameters measured included respiration rate (closed-system method with HCl–NaOH back-titration), weight loss, and organoleptic scores for color, aroma, and texture. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan's Multiple Range Test (α = 5%). Results showed that tomato exhibited a typical climacteric pattern, with respiration rate declining from 12.64 (D0) to a minimum of 8.16 mg CO₂/kg/hour (D2), then rising again to 12.36 mg CO₂/kg/hour (D4), accompanied by progressive color changes from green to orange, development of characteristic aroma, and gradual texture softening. Cucumber displayed irregular respiratory fluctuations (35.27–12.55–33.09–24.95–16.80 mg CO₂/kg/hour), presumably attributable to chilling injury at a storage temperature near its tolerance threshold, while color and aroma remained relatively stable throughout. Weight loss in tomato reached 32.87% by D4, compared to 9.23% in cucumber. This study confirms distinct physiological differences between the two commodity types and underscores the importance of commodity-specific optimal storage temperature determination to effectively minimize postharvest losses.