Reduction of Transit Injury-Associated Black Discoloration of Fresh Peaches with EDTA Treatments. D. J. Phillips, Plant Pathologist, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Quality Maintenance, Genetics, and Transportation Research Unit, Horticultural Crops Research Laboratory, Fresno, CA 93727. . Plant Dis. 72:118-120. Accepted for publication 21 August 1987. This article is in the public domain and not copyrightable. It may be freely reprinted with customary crediting of the source. The American Phytopathological Society, 1988. DOI: 10.1094/PD-72-0118.

Black marks on the surfaces of peaches were associated with truck transportation of fruit in field bins from orchards to packing sheds. Treatment of discolored fruit with 0.01 M disodium ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) (pH 3.9) or 0.01 M calcium EDTA (pH 3.5) reduced or eliminated the black color, leaving light brown discolored areas associated with rub or abrasion injuries on the fruit surface. Treatment of peach fruit with disodium or calcium EDTA after transit reduced the development of black discoloration, but EDTA treatments applied before transit did not effectively prevent the development of black discoloration. EDTA may prevent a chemical that is associated with the injury from combining with the anthocyanin pigments in the fruit and therefore prevent development of the black discoloration.

Keyword(s): chelation, inking, iron.