[Physiological changes in fruits and vegetables sensitive to cold]

The main external manifestations of chilling injury and the critical temperatures at which these manifestations appear in certain fruits and vegetables are described. Several hypothesis about its origin are indicated as follows: phase change in mitochondrial membranes, increase in the organic acids content, modification of enzyme activities, accumulation of toxic metabolites and alterations in the oxidative phosphorylation process. It is concluded that the physiological changes in the post-recollection period of fruits and vegetables, sensitive to chilling injury, need to be further investigated.