Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on the extension of storage life and quality maintenance of pomegranate (cv. ‘Bhagwa’) at ambient and low temperatures

Abstract

Pomegranates (cv. 'Bhagwa') packed in four semi-permeable films (Cryovac BDF-2001, D-955, RD-106 and normal LDPE) were stored at ambient temperature (25-30 °C, 60-70% RH) and low temperature (8 °C, 80-85% RH) to study the effect of modified atmosphere (MA) packaging on storage life extension and quality maintenance. O and CO levels generated inside MA packs differed significantly with the film type wherein extremely high CO (> 70%) and low O (1% or less) were observed in BDF film during 3 weeks at ambient temperature and 3 months at 8 °C. Moderate O (3-8%) and CO (7-11%) were maintained in D-955 film, whereas very high O (18-20%) and low CO (2-4%) were maintained in RD-906 film. Significantly low weight loss of 0.73 and 0.52% was observed in MA packed (D-955) fruits after 3 weeks at ambient and 3 months at 8 °C respectively compared to 19.0 and 17.8% in non-packed fruits. Fruits packed in D-955 film also retained original peel colour (L*, h° and C*), whereas colour was adversely affected in fruits packed in low permeable BDF film. MA packaging maintained peel thickness and peel moisture, significantly higher than non-packed fruits at both temperatures. TSS, acidity, sugars, antioxidants and sensory qualities were better in D-955 and LDPE packed fruits at both ambient and 8 °C storage, whereas quality was adversely affected in BDF film packed fruits. MA packed (D-955 and LDPE) fruits had less spoilage up to 3 weeks at ambient (5.5 and 8.3%) and 3 months at 8 °C (2.8 and 9.7%). Quality got deteriorated by 4 weeks at ambient temperature and 4 months at 8 °C with enhanced spoilage. Pomegranate fruits cv. 'Bhagwa' can thus be stored safely for 3 weeks at ambient and 3 months at 8 °C storage by MA packaging in D-955 or LDPE film with least weight loss and maintenance of nutritional quality.

The Effects of 1-Methylcyclopropene Treatment on the Fruit Quality of ‘Idared’ Apples during Storage and Transportation

“…The obtained apples were divided into three groups to assess the influence of the 1-MCP treatment and selective gas permeability packaging, so the experiment included various methods of postharvest treatment: (I) control apples with neither 1-MCP treatment, nor packaging; (II) studied apples after 1-MCP postharvest treatment (SmartFresh ProTabs™, by AgroFresh Solutions Inc., Philadelphia, PA, USA, applied in the concentration of 0.65 µL/L), with no dedicated packaging; (III) studied apples after 1-MCP postharvest treatment (SmartFresh ProTabs™, by AgroFresh Solutions Inc., Philadelphia, PA, USA, applied in the concentration of 0.65 µL/L), with selected gas permeability bags applied (Xtend ® , by StePac L.A. Ltd., Tefen, Israel) to provide Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP). The 1-MCP treatment was applied directly after harvesting, while MAP bags were applied before simulating long-distance transport, while both chosen 1-MCP treatment [40] and MAP bags are commonly used for fruits [41].…”

Maintenance of Pomegranate Fruit Quality by Coating With Flaxseed, Black Seed Oils, and Chitosan During Different Storage Periods

“…The positive effect of the edible coating on reducing weight loss is due to the thin layer of oil around the fruit, where the oil treatment methods act as a barrier to permeable of moisture, CO 2 , O 2 , and reduce respiratory rates and water loss (32). In this study, an increased reduction in weight loss when using flaxseed and black seed oils could be due to the fact that the oil has good water vapor barrier properties (31). Using the oil coating to form a thin layer around the fruit, lead to a lower rate of water loss, which leads to reduced weight loss.…”

Preserving the Postharvest Quality of Thompson Seedless Grape by Using Propolis and Aloe Vera Gel Coating

“…The thin layer of coating material surrounding the fruit, where the coating treatment methods operate as a barrier to the permeability of moisture, CO 2 , O 2 , and reduced respiratory rates and water loss, is what had the edible coating its beneficial effect on reducing weight loss (33). According to this study, using propolis and aloe vera reduced weight loss (35). The hygroscopic properties of aloe vera gel enable the creation of a barrier to prevent water diffusion from the fruit to the surrounding environment, which reduces fresh weight loss in coated fruit (24).…”