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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Hilo, Hawaii » Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center » Tropical Crop and Commodity Protection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #249018
Title: Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.)

Author
item Wall, Marisa
item SIVAKUMAR, D. - University Of Pretoria
item KORSTEN, L. - University Of Pretoria

Submitted to: Postharvest Biology and Technology
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/28/2010
Publication Date: 3/1/2011
Citation: Wall, M.M., Sivakumar, D., Korsten, L. 2011. Rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum L.). In: E. Yahia (ed.), Postharvest Biology and Technology of Tropical and Sub-Tropical Fruits. Woodhead Publ., UK. p. 312-333.

Interpretive Summary: This chapter describes the postharvest biology of rambutans and the technology available to extend shelf-life, meet quarantine security, and minimize diseases and storage disorders of this specialty tropical fruit crop.

Technical Abstract: Rambutans (Nephelium lappaceum) are exotic tropical fruit with a relatively short shelf-life. Fresh rambutans are bright red or yellow at harvest, but the skin color and spinterns darken during storage. Postharvest diseases also limit the successful marketing and export of this specialty fruit. Pericarp browning can be delayed when the fruit are held at 8-12°C and 95% relative humidity, depending on cultivar. The use of modified atmosphere packaging or enhanced CO2 atmospheres (9-12%) can also maintain the visual quality of rambutans. Integrated preharvest and postharvest practices that achieve disease control while reducing desiccation and browning are needed to extend rambutan shelf-life beyond two weeks.