Relationship between fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) infestation and the physicochemical changes in fresh fruits

Infestation of fruit flies (Diptera: Tephritidae) causes physical and chemical changes in fresh fruit. Moreover, each species of fruit may react differently to the injuries caused by oviposition and larva feeding. In this study, we associated fruit fly infestation with physicochemical changes in five fruit species during six storage times. Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) infestation caused change in peel firmness (PEF), pulp firmness (PUF), pH, titratable acidity (TA) and total soluble solid (TSS) of star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.). It led to changes in PEF, PUF, TA, TSS and weight loss (WL) of guava (Psidium guajava L.) and changes in PEF and TA of apple (Malus domestica Borkh). Infestation changed PEF, PUF, TA and WL in mango (Mangifera indica L.) and PEF, PUF, TA and TSS of tangerine (Citrus reticulata Blanco). C. capitata infestation caused significant physicochemical changes in fresh fruits. Our results demonstrated a marked loss of fresh fruit quality after four days of fruit fly infestation. This information can help assessment of fresh fruit quality for consumption and processing. We discuss how the relationship between fly/host fruit might influence physicochemical changes in fresh fruits and recommend applied studies to better understand these relationships. Key words: Ceratitis capitata, fruit damage, quality assessment, postharvest fruit