Evaluation of Quality Changes on ‘Elberta’ Peach during Storage with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Behrouzi, Shahram; Mostofi, Yunes; Zamani, Zabihollah; Ahmadi, Ahmad; Ranjbar, Ishagh; Adib Neishabouri, Jomaneh

doi:10.22059/ijhs.2014.50944

Evaluation of Quality Changes on ‘Elberta’ Peach during Storage with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Document Type : Full Paper

Authors

Shahram Behrouzi ¹

Yunes Mostofi ²

Zabihollah Zamani ²

Ahmad Ahmadi ³

Ishagh Ranjbar ¹

Jomaneh Adib Neishabouri ¹

¹ Former Graduate Students, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

² Professor, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

³ Instructor, University College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran

10.22059/ijhs.2014.50944

Abstract

In the present research, effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) including
three gas combinations and two packaging films (Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and
Polypropylene (PP)) on postharvest quality and storage-life of 'Elberta' peach were
evaluated. The study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on CRD
(completely randomized design) with three replicates for 9 weeks. Fruits were stored at
1oC and 90% relative humidity (RH). Packages with air combination considered as
control. Samples were taken out each week and quality parameters of the fruits (color
index, weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, pH, ethylene
production and TSS/TA ratio) were measured after 24hr at room temperature. Results
showed that fruits in the modified atmosphere packaging had better preservation of
quality characteristics. Factors such as firmness, pH, TA, TSS and TSS/TA ratio
maintained better in LDPE film compared to polypropylene film. Ethylene production
in polypropylene film was less than LDPE film. Gas combination of 10% CO2 and 2%
O2 maintained a better quality according to firmness, pH, TA, weight loss, TSS/TA ratio
and reduced ethylene production compared to treatment of 5% CO2 and 2% O2. In
conclusion, in LDPE film with gas combination of 10% CO2 and 2% O2, quality was
maintained better and the storage-life of 'Elberta' peach was extended for 63 days.

Keywords

ethylene production

low density polyethylene

polypropylene quality

storage-life