D'Hallewin, G., CNR Istituto per la Fisiologia della Maturazione, Conservazione del Frutto delle Specie Arboree Mediterranee, 07100 Sassari, 09170 Oristano, Italy
Schirra, M., CNR Istituto per la Fisiologia della Maturazione, Conservazione del Frutto delle Specie Arboree Mediterranee, 07100 Sassari, 09170 Oristano, Italy
Pala, M., Centro Regionale Agrario Sperimentale, Regione Sardegna, 09100 Cagliari, Italy
Ben-Yehoshua, S., Department of Postharvest Science of Fresh Produce, ARO, The Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel

Star Ruby grapefruit [Citrus paradisi (Macf.)] were harvested in November, February, and May; treated with ultraviolet C (UV-C) light at 0.5, 1.5, or 3.0 kJ·m-2, and then stored at 7 °C and 90-95% relative humidity (RH) for 4 weeks with 1 additional week at 20 °C and ~80% RH. Untreated fruits were used as control. UV-C irradiation at 0.5 kJ·m-2 effectively reduced decay development as compared to nontreated fruit without causing damage. Irradiation at dosages >0.5 kJ·m-2 did not further improve decay control and caused rind browning and necrotic peel, the extent of damage depending on treatment dosage and harvest date. The percentage of damaged fruit after irradiation at the higher UV-C dosages was significantly higher in fruit harvested in November; differences between fruits harvested in February and May were negligible. After UV-C irradiation, the phytoalexins scoparone and scopoletin accumulated in flavedo tissue, their amounts depending on harvest date and UV-C dosage. Both phytoalexins showed similar accumulation patterns, although the concentrations of scoparone were much lower than those of scopoletin. Phytoalexin levels increased in most samples as the treatment dosage increased. No detectable levels of scoparone and scopoletin could be found in nonirradiated fruit. The influence of UV-C treatments on soluble solids concentration and titratable acidity of juice was negligible.