Order: Geraniales

Family: Rutaceae

Genus: Citrus

Subfamily: Aurantioideae

Although the homeland of citrus fruits is a wide geography from the east of the Arabian Peninsula to the east of the Philippines, and the Himalayas and the region from India to Australia, its main homeland is Southeast Asia. Citrus fruits are botanically a berry. It is in the Hesperidum group among berry fruits. The common feature of this group is that the fruit skin is essential and has a thick and developed fruit skin. The fruits are in the form of clusters and 10-15 fruits can be found in a cluster. Citrus fruits generally start to grow when the air temperature reaches 12.8°C. Rapid growth start temperature is 18 -19°C. The best growing temperature is between 26-28°C.

Comercially valuable types of citrus suitable for long-term storage

İtalyan memeli limon (kara limon - Zagara bianca), Küt diken limonu, Lamas cinsi limon

Valencia cinsi portakal
Italian orange blossom lemon (black lemon / citrus lemon - Zagara bianca), Blunt thorn (küt diken) lemon, Lamas lemon, interdonato

Citrus sinensis 'Valencia' orange

Citrus Harvest

In citrus fruits, it is very important to determine the most appropriate harvest time in order to preserve the fruit quality and to have a long term storage and shelf life in the process from the producer to the consumer. Citrus fruits can stay on the tree for a while after they mature. However, sugar/acid balance is disturbed in fruits, quality decreases, puffing and crust thickening occur. In addition, wind, hail, frost damage and castings occur. The durability of the fruits left on the tree in storage is also reduced. Trees whose fruit is harvested late will yield less next year. Harvest is usually one of the stages where injuries are most common and pathogens are most contagious. Harvest time and shape are important, as well as the nails of the workers and the smashing of the fruit are effective on the damages that occur during the harvest. Maximum attention and care is very important in harvesting. Not only does it have a significant impact on the current value of the fruit, the injuries and bruises that occur during this time and the resulting molds greatly affect the storage period of the fruit.

Optimum conditions for citrus storage

As with all fruits, the product should be brought to the cold store as soon as possible after harvest, and it should be put into the cold chain by lowering the core temperature with pre-cooling. Reducing the core temperature as soon as possible is the golden rule for citrus fruits for long-term storage, as similar with all fruits. It depends on this to maximize the storage time in the current product. Storage temperatures are slightly higher than other fruits. Lemons are stored at 7 °C on average, and in Valencia type, at 5.5-6 °C with 90-95% humidity levels for oranges. This is due to the chilling damage seen in warehouses. Fruits are exposed to chilling damage when stored for a long time or at lower temperatures. Differences between storage temperatures; It varies according to the variety used, maintenance conditions, soil and climate characteristics, maturity at harvest and storage period.

Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Citrus (Lemon and Orange)

It can be stored in citrus types that can be stored in a controlled atmosphere for 6-7 months with almost no cold storage damage loss. Storage is done approximately 14 -16% O2 for the atmosphere in citrus; with 2 – 3% CO2 values.

In general, one of the most important factors in terms of storability in fruit species is the sugar content of the fruit. The high sugar content in fruit is a feature that accelerates fermentation. Therefore, it is possible to say that even in different sweeter varieties of the same fruit, the storage times are shortened inversely. Apart from that, even in species suitable for long-term storage, harvest time is very important for similar reasons. The harvest time of the harvested fruits should be done neither before nor after this time, and on the right days as it should be. This situation is associated with the amount of solid matter and sugar taken from the tree before harvest in order to extend the storage period of the fruit.

Our products for Controlled Atmosphere Storage

 - Controlled Atmosphere automation

 - Oxygen Scrubber

 - Carbon Dioxide Scrubber

*An important note. The above data are scientific recommendations that contain general storage conditions that are not specific to a specific region. Therefore, this information is only indicative and no rights or obligations can be derived from it. For more detailed professional and product-specific recommendations, please consult local research institutes or relevant university departments and seek professional support.

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