Quality assessment of hydroponically stored watermelon and cucumber fruits

Abstract

Nutritional and microbial assessment of hydroponically stored water melon and cucumber were studied. Three chambers were created with Oxo chlorate concentration at 2.5ml, 5ml and tap water while water melon and cucumber without a chamber serving as a control. The water melon and cucumber were suspended in a mesh over water of various Oxo chlorate concentrations and allowed for maximum of 36 days. The relative humidity (RH), temperature, oxygen (O²)and carbon dioxide(Co₂) concentration were taken using RH meter and temperature logger. Nutrient composition of selected vitamins/minerals and microbial load were accessed after storage period. Results showed that the physical parameter of relative humidity, gaseous concentration, temperature favoured water melon and cucumber in hydroponic storage chambers. The nutritional content of mineral and vitamins were also highly favoured except sodium mineral that was absent in all created chambers. Similarly, the microbial load in all the chambers for bacterial and fungi infestation reveal microbial loads within safety levels.