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Properties and Recommended Conditions
for Storage of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Compiled by Marita Cantwell
November 2001
By Scientific Name: C

View the charts as Web pages or in Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). The PDF files can be downloaded, viewed, and then printed by using Adobe Acrobat Reader©, which is freely available from the Adobe site. Download adobe graphic Adobe Acrobat Reader.


Scientific name
Common name
Storage temperature
Relative humidity
Highest freezing temperature
Ethylene* production
Ethylene** sensitivity
Approximate storage-life
Observations and 
Beneficial CA conditions
 
 
°C
°F
%
°C
°F
 
 
 
  
Calocarpum mammosum Mamey sapote 13-15 55-59 90-95     H H 2-3 weeks  
Capsicum annuum Bell Pepper, Paprika 7-10 45-50 95-98 -0.7 30.7 L L 2-3 weeks 2-5% O2 + 2-5% CO2
Capsicum annuum; C. frutescens Hot peppers, Chiles 5-10 41-50 85-95 -0.7 30.7 L M 2-3 weeks 3-5% O2 + 5-10% CO2
Carica candamarcensis Babaco, Mt. Papaya 7 45 85-90         1-3 weeks  
Carica papaya Papaya 7-13 45-55 85-90 -0.9 30.4 M M 1-3 weeks 2-5% O2 + 5-8% CO2
Casimiroa edulis White sapote 20 68 85-90 -2.0 28.4     2-3 weeks  
Chenopodium ambrosioides Epazote 0-5 32-41 90-95     VL M 1-2 weeks  
Chrysophyllum cainito Caimito, Star apple 3 38 90 -1.2 29.9     3 weeks  
Cichorium endivia Endive, Escarole 0 32 95-100 -0.1 31.7 VL M 2-4 weeks  
Cichorium intybus Belgian endive; 
Witloof chicory		 2-3 36-38 95-98     VL M 2-4 weeks light causes greening; 
3-4% O2 + 4-5% CO2
Cichorium intybus Raddichio 0-1 32-34 95-100         4-8 weeks  
Citrullus vulgaris Watermelon 10-15 50-59 90 -0.4 31.3 VL H 2-3 weeks no CA benefit
Citrus aurantifolia; 
Citrus latifolia		 Lime, Mexican, Tahiti or Persian 9-10 48-50 85-90 -1.6 29.1     6-8 weeks 5-10% O2 + 0-10% CO2
Citrus aurantium Seville or sour orange 10 50 85-90 -0.8 30.6 L M 12 weeks  
Citrus grandis Pummelo 7-9 45-48 85-90 -1.6 29.1     12 weeks  
Citrus limon Lemon 10-13 50-55 85-90 -1.4 29.4     1-6 months 5-10%O2 + 0-10%CO2
Citrus paradisi Grapefruit                 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  
Citrus reticulata x paradisi Tangelo, Minneola 7-10 45-50 85-95 -0.9 30.3     2-4 weeks  
Citrus reticulata Tangerine, Mandarin 4-7 40-45 90-95 -1.1 30.1 VL M 2-4 weeks  
Citrus reticulta x Fortunella sp. Calamondin orange 9-10 48-50 90 -2.0 28.3     2 weeks  
Citrus sinensis Orange                 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  
Cocos nucifera Coconut 0-2 32-36 80-85 -0.9 30.4     1-2 months  
Colocasia esculenta Taro, Cocoyam, Eddoe, Dasheen 7-10 45-50 85-90 -0.9 30.3     4 months no CA benefit
Coriandrum sativum Cilantro, 
Chinese parsley		 0-1 32-34 95-100     VL H 2 weeks 3% O2 + 7-10% CO2; air + 7-10% CO2
Cucumis metuliferus African horned melon; Kiwano 13-15 55-59 90     L M 3-6 months  
Cucumis sativus Cucumber 10-12 50-54 85-90 -0.5 31.1 L H 10-14 days 3-5% O2 + 0-5% CO2
Cucumis sativus Pickling cucumber 4 40 95-100     L H 7 days 3-5% O2 + 3-5% CO2
Cucurbita maxima Pumpkin 12-15 54-59 50-70 -0.8 30.5 L M 2-3 months  
Cucurbita melo var. reticulatus Cantaloupes and 
other netted melons		 2-5 36-41 95 -1.2 29.9 H M 2-3 weeks 3-5% O2 + 10-15% CO2
Cucurbita melo Casaba melon 7-10 45-50 85-90 -1.0 30.3 L L 3-4 weeks 3-5% O2 + 5-10% CO2 
  Crenshaw melon 7-10 45-50 85-90 -1.1 30.1 M H 2-3 weeks 3-5% O2 + 5-10% CO2
  Honeydew & Orange- 
flesh melons		 5-10 41-50 85-90 -1.1 30.1 M H 3-4 weeks 3-5% O2 + 5-10% CO2
  Persian melon 7-10 45-50 85-90 -0.8 30.6 M H 2-3 weeks 3-5% O2 + 5-10% CO2
Cucurbita moschata; C. maxima Winter (hard rind)  squash; Calabash 12-15 54-59 50-70 -0.8 30.5 L M 2-3 months large differences among varieties
Cucurbita pepo Summer (soft rind)  squash; Courgette 7-10 45-50 95 -0.5 31.1 L M 1-2 weeks 3-5% O2 + 5-10% CO2
Cydonia oblonga Quince -0.5-0 31-32 90 -2.0 28.4 L H 2-3 months  
Cynara acolymus Globe Artichoke 0 32 95-100 -1.2 29.9 VL L 2-3 weeks 2-3% O2 + 3-5% CO2 
Cyphomandra betacea Tamarillo, Tree tomato 3-4 37-40 85-95     L M 10 weeks  
*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/sci_c.shtml updated June 10, 2002