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Properties and Recommended Conditions
for Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Compiled by Marita Cantwell
November 2001
By Common Name: C

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Common name
Scientific name
Storage temperature
Relative humidity
Highest freezing temperature
Ethylene* production
Ethylene** sensitivity
Approximate Storage-life
Observations and 
Beneficial CA conditions
 
 
°C
°F
%
°C
°F
 
 
 
  
Cabbage                    
--Chinese; Napa  Brassica campestris var. Pekinensis  0 32 95-100 -0.9 30.4 VL M-H 2-3 months 1-2% O2 + 0-5% CO2
--Common, early crop  Brassica oleracea var. Capitata 0 32 98-100 -0.9 30.4 VL H 3-6 weeks  
--Late crop
"
 0 32 95-100 -0.9 30.4 VL H 5-6 months 3-5% O2 + 3-7% CO2
Cactus pads or stems, 
Nopalitos 		 Opuntia spp. 5-10 41-50 90-95     VL M 2-3 weeks  
Cactus fruit; 
Prickly pear fruit		 Opuntia spp. 5 41 85-90 -1.8 28.7 VL M 2-6 weeks 2% O2 + 2-5% CO2
Caimito see Sapotes                  
Calamondin see Citrus                  
Canistel see Sapotes                  
Carambola, Starfruit Averrhoa carambola 9-10 48-50 85-90 -1.2 29.8     3-4 weeks  
Carrots, topped Daucus carota 0 32 98-100 -1.4 29.5 VL H 3-6 months no CA benefit; ethylene causes bitterness
--bunched; immature
"
 0 32 98-100 -1.4 29.5 VL H 10-14 days ethylene causes bitterness
Cashew apple Anacardium occidentale 0-2 32-36 85-90         5 weeks  
Cassava,  Yucca, manioc Manihot esculenta 0-5 32-41 85-90     VL L 1-2 months no CA benefit
Cauliflower Brassica oleracea var. Botrytis 0 32 95-98 -0.8 30.6 VL H 3-4 weeks 2-5% O2 + 2-5% CO2
Celeriac Apium graveolens 
var. Rapaceum		 0 32 98-100 -0.9 30.4 VL L 6-8 months 2-4% O2 + 2-3% CO2 
Celery Apium graveolens var. Dulce 0 32 98-100 -0.5 31.1 VL M 1-2 months 1-4%O2 + 3-5% CO2
Chard Beta vulgaris var. Cicla 0 32 95-100     VL H 10-14 days  
Chayote Sechium edule 7 45 85-90         4-6 weeks  
Cherimoya; 
Custard apple		 Annona cherimola 13 55 90-95 -2.2 28.0 H H 2-4 weeks 3-5% O2 +  5-10% CO2
Cherries, sour  Prunus cerasus 0 32 90-95 -1.7 29.0 VL L 3-7 days 3-10% O2 + 10-12% CO2
Cherries, sweet Prunus avium -1 to 0 30-32 90-95 -2.1 28.2 VL L 2-3 weeks 10-20% O2 + 20-25% CO2
Chicory see Endive                  
Chiles see Pepper                  
Chinese broccoli; 
Gailan		 Brassica alboglabra 0 32 95-100     VL H 10-14 days  
Chinese date  See Jujube                  
Chives Allium schoenoprasum 0 32 95-100     VL H 2-3 weeks 5-10% O2 + 5-10% CO2
Cilantro,Chinese parsley See Herbs                  
Citrus                    
--Calamondin orange Citrus reticulta x Fortunella spp. 9-10 48-50 90 -2.0 28.3     2 weeks  
--Grapefruit Citrus paradisi                 3-10% O2 + 5-10% CO2
  +CA, AZ, dry areas   14-15 58-59 85-90 -1.1 30.0 VL M 6-8 weeks  
  +FL, humid areas   10-15 50-59 85-90 -1.1 30.0 VL M 6-8 weeks  
--Kumquat Fortunella japonica 4 40 90-95     VL M 2-4 weeks  
--Lemon Citrus limon 10-13 50-55 85-90 -1.4 29.4     1-6 months 5-10%O2 + 0-10% CO2
--Lime, Mexican, 
Tahiti or Persian		 Citrus aurantifolia; 
C. latifolia		 9-10 48-50 85-90 -1.6 29.1     6-8 weeks 5-10% O2 + 0-10% CO2
--Orange Citrus sinensis                 5-10% O2 +   0-5% CO2
  +CA, AZ, dry areas    3-9 38-48 85-90 -0.8 30.6 VL M 3-8 weeks  
  +FL; humid regions   0-2 32-36 85-90 -0.8 30.6 VL M 8-12 weeks  
--Blood orange   4-7 40-44 90-95 -0.8 30.6     3-8 weeks  
--Seville; Sour Citrus aurantium 10 50 85-90 -0.8 30.6 L M 12 weeks  
--Pummelo Citrus grandis 7-9 45-48 85-90 -1.6 29.1     12 weeks  
--Tangelo, Minneola C. reticulata x paradisi 7-10 45-50 85-95 -0.9 30.3     2-4 weeks  
--Tangerine, 
Mandarin		 Citrus reticulata 4-7 40-45 90-95 -1.1 30.1 VL M 2-4 weeks  
Coconut Cocos nucifera 0-2 32-36 80-85 -0.9 30.4     1-2 months  
Collards Brassica oleracea var. Acephala 0 32 95-100 -0.5 31.1 VL H 10-14 days  
Corn, sweet and baby  Zea mays 0 32 95-98 -0.6 30.9 VL L 5-8 days 2-4%O2 + 5-10% CO2; to 4 wks, 5-10%O2 + 15%CO2
Cowpeas See Peas                  
Cucumber, slicing Cucumis sativus 10-12 50-54 85-90 -0.5 31.1 L H 10-14 days 3-5% O2 + 0-5% CO2
--pickling   4 40 95-100     L H 7 days 3-5% O2 + 3-5% CO2
Currants Ribes sativum; 
R. nigrum;R. rubrum		 -0.5-0 31-32 90-95 -1.0 30.2 L L 1-4 weeks CA can extend storage life to 3-6 months
Custard apple see Cherimoya                  
*Ethylene production rate:
VL = very low (<0.1 µL/kg-hr at 20°C)
L = low (0.1=1.0 µL/kg-hr)
M = moderate (1.0-10.0 µL/kg-hr)
H = high (10-100 µL/kg-hr)
VH = very high (>100 µL/kg-hr)

**Ethylene sensitivity (detrimental effects include yellowing, softening, increased decay, loss of leaves, browning)
L = low sensitivity
M= moderately sensitive
H = highly sensitive 

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Produce/Storage/prob_c.shtml updated June 10, 2002