Effect of Modified Atmosphere Package on Chemicals and Sensory Qualities of Pomegranate Fruits under Low Temperature Storage

Author: Nasir Ahmad Sahel, Krishna H.C., Sadanand K. Mushrif *, Bhuvaneswari S., Manjunatha Reddy T.B., Ahmad Shafiq Foshanji and Dinakara Adiga

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Abstract

Pomegranate fruits are nutrient dense, attractive, appealing and are popular across the region and demographics. The fruits are good source of vitamin C, antioxidants and polyphenols and hence commands excellent marketability. Consumers’ increasing demand is of convenient and fresh quality fruits. The modified atmosphere packaging technology thus has been designed to maintain the nutritional and sensory quality and to enhance the storage life of pomegranate fruit. Studies were conducted to investigate the effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) materials on ascorbic acid, total anthocyanin, antioxidant property and sensory qualities of pomegranate fruits under low temperature storage. Fruits were picked up from field, cleansed with sodium hypochlorite and dried. Later, they were categorized and fruits of uniform size were selected. Various types of packaging materials viz. polyethylene, polypropylene, Xtend® bags and Silver nano bags were used for packing the fruits.

Keywords

Anthocyanin, Ascorbic acid, MAP, Pomegranate, Sensory quality, Storage.

Conclusion

Pomegranate fruits packed in different MAP bags and stored in low temperature (7±2°C and relative humidity of 90±5 %) were found to have prolonged storage life, retained chemical properties and had better sensory score. Fruits packed in Silver nano bags were identified best for maintaining quality as they recorded highest sensory score (6.50) after 100 days of storage while unpacked fruits recorded lowest score (5.25) on 40DAS. MAP bags could extend the storage period of pomegranate fruits as long as 100 days and shelf life 4-5 days compared to unpacked fruits which had only 40 days storage life. This extended shelf life of fresh fruits shall be beneficial in long distance transportation or storing pomegranate fruits during surplus and return to the market during lean period to meet the market demands. This helps both growers and consumers in obtaining good quality produce for greater geographical area and to avoid demand supply mismatch.

References

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How to cite this article

Sahel, N.A., Krishna, H.C., Mushrif, S.K., Bhuvaneswari, S., Manjunatha Reddy T.B., Foshanji, A.S. and Adiga, D. (2021). Effect of Modified Atmosphere Package on Chemicals and Sensory Qualities of Pomegranate Fruits Under Low Temperature Storage. Biologic