Use of film box liners to extend storage life of pears and apples /

Abstract

Evidence is presented in this report to demonstrate that the appearance, storage life, and dessert quality of fall and winter pears and Golden Delicious apples can be improved by packing the fruit in certain kinds of sealed film box liners.Of the films tested, the following may be safely used as sealed liners during storage at 31°F . : Pliofilms 75 FF, 80 and 100 FM1, 80 and 100 HP, cellophane 300 LSAT, and polyethylene 100 and 150. Perforation of the film liner immediately upon removal from cold storage is necessary to avoid injury to the fruit when such films as Pliofilm 75 FF, 80 and 100 HP, and cellophane 300 LSAT are used. The other Pliofilms and polyethylene films are sufficiently permeable to respiratory gases to permit safe handling of the fruit at room temperatures for at least 1 days without perforating the sealed liner. Perforation of all sealed film box liners at shipping point is recommended for packed pears and apples destined for unsupervised handling at retail. Gas concentrations of 1 to 5 percent C02, and of 10 to 18 percent of 2 were obtained in boxes of pears and apples at 31°F. when various kinds of recommended sealed film box liners were used.Physiological changes in pears, generally associated with progressive ripening of the fruit in cold storage, were definitely retarded by the use of sealed film liners. The "shelf life" of such fruit when ripened^yas generally increased several days by this packing procedure. Pears in these sealed films possessed a fresher appearance, a greater freedom from shrivel, and a cold storage life (with normal ripening capacity) of 6 to 8 weeks longer than comparable fruit packed without protection of the sealed film.Neither the degree of shriveling nor the enhancement of dessert quality in Golden Delicious apples was always reflected by biochemical assay. Visual examination, taste observation, and loss in weight during storage were the best indices of condition, appearance, and dessert quality as related to packaging methods.Visible shriveling of the fruit occurred when approximately 3 to 5 percent of its original weight was lost during storage. Shrivel was apparent in all Golden Delicious apples packed in both cartons and wooden boxes without protection of sealed film box liners. Polyethylene film provided the greatest protection against shrivel; paraffined fiberboard liners were ineffective in the prevention of loss in weight of the packed fruit.The appearance and dessert quality of Golden Delicious apples, especially after prolonged cold storage, were greatly enhanced by packaging in certain sealed films. This fruit had a fresh look, a firm feel to hand pressure, and a delicate, aromatic flavor characteristic of the variety when sampled early in its storage life.Certain precautions must be taken when pears and apples are packed in sealed film liners. Every effort should be made to use fruit free from surface abrasion and potential fungus infection; it should be washed with an effective fungicide and handled carefully to minimize bruising, as moisture conditio...

Polyethylene box liners for storage of golden delicious apples /

“…Mention of them is primarily for information of others who may wish to replicate the methodology. Gerhardt (6) in 1948 compared three types of cellophane and three types of Pliofilm as sealed liners for Golden Delicious. Fruit in 300 or 450 MSAT cellophane and in 120 P4 and P6 Pliofilm was severely injured (off-odor, off-flavor, and tissue injury) even during storage at 31°F.…”

“…It was shown by Gerhardt (6) that Golden Delicious apples previously held in various sealed film liners respired at a lower rate during cold storage than did comparable fruit without film protection. The respiration rate at 31°F .…”