Comparative Study on Postharvest Quality of Different Litchi Cultivars in Hainan

Changes of the postharvest quality of six litchi cultivars in Hainan,i.e.Ziniangxi,Wuhe,Dadingxiang,XiaoDingxiang,XinqiumiliandFeizixiao,were compared.The results showed that pericarp browning index of all the cultivars increased and the percentage of good fruit decreased during storage.Water loss and pH value in pericarp increased continuously with pericarp browning,but anthocyanin content decreased.Wuheturned brown most rapidly,however,Ziniangxi had the slowest browning rate,mainly related to water loss of pericarp.The contents of TSS,TA,and Vc in the pulps of the tested cultivars tended to decrease during storage.TSS/TA increased after harvest and then decreased in the pulps ofFeizixiaoandWuhe.Xinqiumilii had the highest TSS content,the lowest TA content and the highest TSS/TA ratio in the pulp.Ziniangxi had the highest TA content,the lowest and stable TSS/TA ratio in the pulp.Xinqiumili and Ziniangxi had higher Vc content than other cultivars.