MORPHOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF MEDLAR (MESPILUS GERMANICA L.) FRUITS AND CHANGES IN QUALITY DURING RIPENING

Abstract

Medlar has acquired increasing popularity in recent years for its edible fruits and
some healing properties in modern medicine. Medlar fruits are often stored under
non-cold conditions in straw. This study was conducted to determine
morphological and biochemical characteristics of medlar fruits and changes in fruit
quality occurring under ordinary storage conditions. For this purpose, eight types
of medlar trees were evaluated. The trees were at a mature stage and productive.
Morphological properties such as the fruit and seed weight (g), length, and width
(mm) were measured after the harvest. Fruit soluble solid content (%) and pH
values were determined at physiological maturity after harvesting, and the fruit
soluble solid content was measured again at ripening (edible stage), after 25 days
of storage under ordinary storage conditions (mean temperature of 10 °C and mean
humidity of 65–70%). Leaf characteristics were also determined. The tree
productivity was very different between the types, and it was determined to range
from 5.9 and 17.8 kg. The fruit weight varied from 9.69 to 24.45 g, while the water
content decreased nearly to the half of the harvest values in some genotypes. The
soluble solid content changed depending on the water losses and increased during
the ripening period. The seed numbers ranged from 1.7 to 4.7 among the types, and
the seed weight varied from 0.12 to 0.45 g. The fruits were able to reach ripening
maturity in three weeks under the ordinary storage conditions depending on the
type. Thus, this method of storage is practical for the medlar producer, but the
results clearly showed that the storage period was too short and that the fruit
quality was negatively affected. Cold storage conditions are needed to ensure
quality and a long selling time.