Effects of Storage Temperatures on Carotenoid Content of Postharvest Loquat Fruits

HPLC was used to conduct qualitative and quantitative analyses of the carotenoid content in loquat fruit flesh(Eriobotrya japonica Lindl. cv. Zaozhong No. 6) to explore the effect of storage temperatures on carotenoid accumulation. The results showed that lutein, β-cryptoxanthin and β-carotene contents in loquat fruits stored at 25 ℃ were consistently higher than those at 4 ℃ and 8 ℃. The contents of the three carotenoids in loquat fruits stored at 8 ℃ and 25 ℃ showed a dynamic variation pattern of up-down during storage, but their peak times were different. Contents of lutein and β-cryptoxanthin gradually decreased with storage time and did not contribute to the accumulation when stored at 4 ℃. Overall, the contents of the three carotenoids in loquat fruits stored at 4 ℃ were lower than those at 8 ℃and 25 ℃. Therefore, the lower the storage temperature would lead to less accumulation of the pulp carotenoids. A low temperature or a long storage time was not beneficial to the accumulation of carotenoids. After a comprehensive evaluation of the commodity value of loquat fruit stored at different temperatures, we concluded that 8 ℃ was the optimum temperature for maintaining carotenoid level during long-term storage of loquat fruits.