Abstrait

Quality assessment of hydroponically stored watermelon and cucumber fruits.

Ogori Akama Friday*, Orede VO, Adekoyeni OO, Ajayi FF

Quality assessment of hydroponically stored water melon and cucumber were studied. Four set up were created. Oxo chlorate concentration chamber at 2.5 ml, Oxo chlorate concentration chamber at 5 ml, tap water chamber; water melon and cucumber fruits without a chamber served as control. The water melon and cucumber were suspended in a mesh over water at various Oxo chlorate concentrations and allowed for maximum of 36 days. The Relative Rumidity (RH), temperature, Oxygen (O2) and Carbon Dioxide (CO2) concentration were taken using RH meter and temperature logger. Vitamin A, C, Potassium, Calcium, Phosphorus elements and microbial load were accessed after storage periods. Results showed that the physical parameter, relative humidity, gaseous concentration, temperature favoured water melon and cucumber in hydroponic storage chambers. The nutritional content of mineral and vitamins were also highly favored except sodium mineral that was absent in all created chambers. Similarly, the microbial load in all the chambers for bacterial and fungi infestation reveal microbial loads within safety levels.