Light, temperature, and sucrose affect color, diameter, and soluble solidsof disks of wax apple fruit skin

A study was conducted to assess the combined effects of light, temperature and sucrose on color, weight, diameter, and soluble solids of the skin of w ax apple (Syzygium samarangense Merr. & Perry) fruits. Skin disks mere cult ured in a factorial arrangement of two light levels [dark or light (300 mu mol.m(-2).s(-1))] as subplots and three sucrose concentrations (0%, 3%, or 6%) as sub-subplots within three temperature levels (20, 25, or 30 degreesC ) as whole plot treatments. Weight, diameter, soluble solids concentration (SSC), and anthocyanin content were measured 2 weeks after incubation. Ligh t increased SSC and anthocyanin, but reduced the increase in weight and dia meter. Increasing the temperature limited increase in diameter and anthocya nin content. Weight, SSC, and anthocyanin contents increased in a linear fa shion with concentration of sucrose in the culture solution. However, none of the three factors played a unique role in anthocyanin synthesis in was a pple. Among the 18 combinations, light/20 degreesC/6% sucrose gave the high est SSC and anthocyanin content, while dark/20 degreesC/6% sucrose produced the largest diameter.