Storage Temperature: Recommended range is 8 °C – 10 °C.
Storage Duration: Recommended period is 2 – 6 weeks.
Ventilation: Install a digitally controlled ventilation system to regulate chamber air exchange.
Controlled Atmosphere: Not recommended — uneconomical for small production volumes, with limited advantages in total storage life.
Ethylene Removal: Use a specialized ventilation or ethylene-extraction system.
IMPORTANT TIPS
Harvest melons unripe — they can continue to ripen during storage.
Monitor sugar content at harvest using optical refractometers; optimal levels are below 10 °Brix.
Avoid temperatures below 7 °C, as they cause flavor and skin deterioration.
Use a low-humidity refrigeration system to prevent surface damage.
Perform rapid pre-cooling before commercial dispatch.
Remove ethylene continuously to avoid premature ripening.
Maintain elevated CO₂ levels, which slow ripening and extend storage life — however, concentrations above 20 % can cause off-flavors and product degradation.
