Kinetics of Post-harvest Quality Changes and Shelf Life Evaluation of Vegetable Amaranth Stored in Solar Refrigerated and Evaporative Cooled Structure

Author: Priyanka Sharad Mahangade and Indra Mani

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Abstract

Solar refrigerated and evaporative cooled (SREC) storage structure was developed to provide on-farm, cold storage facility for smallholder farmers. The study was conducted to study the kinetics of post-harvest quality changes and shelf life evaluation of vegetable amaranth stored in solar refrigerated and evaporative cooled structure. In ambient condition (UL), temperatures varied between 22- 42°C, in SREC temperature ranged from 6 to 20°C, with relative humidity of 85-100%. After end of the storage period, weight loss, leaf fall, chlorophyll loss and leaf yellowing of amaranth leaves were higher in EC and UL conditions compared to SREC and refrigerated storage. The kinetics of stored product in an evaporative cooled structure is specific to the particular system and product being studied. It is essential to consider the unique characteristics of each storage system. In this Study, fractional kinetics model was used to predict the shelf life of amaranth stored under SREC, EC, REF and ambient storage condition. The study of kinetics of stored product in an evaporative cooled structure offers valuable insights into shelf life prediction.

Keywords

Post harvest quality, shelf life, degradation kinetics, evaporative cooled, storage

Conclusion

This study showed that the rate of senescence was faster in uncooled laboratory (UL) i.e. ambient condition and evaporatively cooled (EC) store as compared to solar refrigerated evaporative cooled (SREC) structure and refrigerator. An innovative off-grid batteryless SREC mesh fabric structure preserved the perishable agricultural commodities in term of quality parameters such visual appearance, weight loss, leaf fall, yellowness and total chlorophyll content comparatively better than EC and UL storage conditions. In comparison to vegetable amaranth stored at ambient condition, the amaranth stored in the SREC and REF remained marketable for an extra 3-5 days. Fractional kinetics model used in this study provides a tool to predict the shelf life of amaranth stored in different storage structures as function of time in days with respect to weight loss and chlorophyll content degradation. These models allow for the prediction of the remaining shelf life of vegetable amaranth stored in SREC, EC, REF and UL storage conditions. Essentially, it will contribute to the main goal of reduction in overall postharvest losses in vegetables by efficient post-harvest management.

References

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How to cite this article

Priyanka Sharad Mahangade and Indra Mani (2023). Kinetics of Post-harvest Quality Changes and Shelf Life Evaluation of Vegetable Amaranth Stored in Solar Refrigerated and Evaporative Cooled Structure. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(4): 649-656.