Assessment of Natural Fruit Ripening and Fruit Quality of Three Elite Durian Cultivars for Overland Export

The study aimed to assess the natural fruit ripening duration, quality, and consumer preference of 3 elite durian cultivars-‘Monthong’, ‘Musang King’, ‘Ocee’-after harvest. From day harvest at maturity stage until second fresh fruits emitted aroma; ‘Monthong’ took 9 days for full measured by duration value significantly (p < 0.05) longer 4 than King’ ‘Ocee’. This indicated that storage life was. flesh weight, percentage thickness most influenced quality. had higher thicker A questionnaire interview guide were used compare sensory qualities (flesh smell taste) cultivars 50 Thai consumers through smelling (mild, moderate, strong) eating flesh. Consumer was determined each cultivar same then chose they mostly prefer. Consequently, preferred (54 %) over (28 ‘Ocee’ (18 due its mild aroma, mildly sweet taste, crispy but soft golden-yellow In conclusion, (or long life) plus more thickness, consumers’ high are good indicators export quality-suitable shipping overland especially China, top importer Thailand. short life); ergo, poor Shipping land, sea, air, including packaging technology development, should be studied further benefit market. HIGHLIGHTS cultivar, is a indicator an quality suitable By means consumers, recorded outer inner colored GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT