CULTIVAR AND FROZEN STORAGE EFFECTS ON MUSKMELON (CUCUMIS-MELO) COLOR, TEXTURE AND CELL-WALL POLYSACCHARIDE COMPOSITION

Changes in composition, drip loss and colour of Cantaloupe and Honey D ew melons were determined in fresh and frozen melons stored for 5 and 10 months at -23 degrees C. Relationships between drip loss, CWP fract ions and total CWP sugar composition were determined. During frozen st orage, there were significant decreases (P < 0.05) in total CWP sugars in relation to increased storage time. The decrease in total sugars w as more dramatic during the 0-5 month period than during the 5-10 mont h period of frozen storage. Drip loss was negatively correlated with t otal neutral sugar content as storage time increased. The CDTA fractio n yield increased and all neutral sugars decreased significantly (P < 0.05) as storage time increased. Only the CDTA fraction yield was posi tively correlated with drip loss.