Quality changes of acerola fruit harvested at different maturity stages and exposed to external ethylene

Although acerola (Malpighia emarginata D.C.) has been suggested to be a climacteric fruit, little is known about its sensitivity exogenous ethylene. The objective of the study was evaluate quality changes fruit at two harvest maturity stages in response external ethylene application. ‘Flor Branca’ and ‘Junko’ acerolas were harvested 1 (green with density>1 g cm-3) 2(green density <1 treated 0 or 1,000 µL L-1 for 24 hours 12 ºC.The stored ºC relative humidity 90-95% 14 days. Both cultivars stage 2 showed skin color change from green red during storage, which not observed 1.External had no effect on 'Flor Branca' 'Junko' respiration rate, flesh firmness, color, weight loss, soluble solids (SS), titratable acidity (AT), SS/AT ratio, ascorbic acid contents. classification by an effective approach determine fresh consumption.