Authors : G. Atungulu , E. Atungulu , R. Okada and Y. Nishiyama
Abstract: The efficacy of using high voltage treatment to extend post harvest storage life of tomatoes (Mini-tomato Chika variety) was assessed. Continuous and intermittent treatments (2 hours per day) on tomatoes at different voltages (10 kV, 20 kV, 30 kV and 40 kV), storage temperatures (0 C, 4 C, 10 C, and 17 C) and electrode configurations (needle or aluminum plate as cathode electrode) were done. An aluminum plate (inter electrode distance 100 mm) was used as the grounded anode electrode. Using needle electrodes as cathode in the high voltage treatment (10 kV, 20 kV and 30 kV) resulted in higher moisture loss than in the untreated samples. However, intermittent treatment using aluminum plate as cathode electrode did not indicate higher moisture loss in the treated samples when compared to the untreated. In intermittent treatment of tomato stored at 0 C using ionised needle as cathode electrode, respiration rate difference (difference with reference to the initial respiration rate) rapidly declined 48 hours after treatment with 30 kV and 20 kV. Surface characteristics of the tomatoes changed during storage. Abnormal shriveling on the surface of the tomatoes was minimal for the intermittently treated samples.
G. Atungulu , E. Atungulu , R. Okada and Y. Nishiyama , 2005. Efficacy of High Voltage Treatment on Tomato Storage . Journal of Food Technology, 3: 209-215.