Articles
Performance of compostable bio-based packaging for preservation of bunch tomatoes
Article number
1386_26
Pages
191 – 198
Language
English
Abstract
The use of plastic materials for packaging fresh agricultural produce is one of the most controversial topics nowadays.
Appropriate plastic packaging can help preserving perishable commodities by creating favorable modified atmosphere and humidity.
Thus, plastic packaging contributes to reduction of food losses, one of the todays global challenges.
At the same time, extensive use of plastics presents a hazard by itself, resulting in environmental pollution due to the very slow decomposition of conventional polymers.
Biodegradable packaging may help resolving this controversy, provided its performance in preserving fruit and vegetable quality is at least equal to that of conventional plastics.
In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a compostable packaging film for preservation of bunch tomatoes.
The performance of the biodegradable film was tested during simulated distribution, marketing and subsequent home storage, in comparison with open rigid containers and commercial flexible macro-perforated polypropylene bags.
When compostable packaging was used in non-perforated form, there was a high chance of hypoxic fermentation manifested as impaired ripening, prohibitive off-flavor and excessive softening.
These undesirable phenomena were prevented by film perforation.
In contrast to polypropylene bags, no water condensation was observed in the biodegradable packages due to their somewhat higher water vapor transmission rate.
Micro-perforated compostable packages outperformed the commercial bags in preservation of tomato quality due to the buildup of beneficial in-package modified atmosphere.
Optimally perforated biodegradable packaging combined the advantage of improved sustainability with superior vegetable storage performance.
Appropriate plastic packaging can help preserving perishable commodities by creating favorable modified atmosphere and humidity.
Thus, plastic packaging contributes to reduction of food losses, one of the todays global challenges.
At the same time, extensive use of plastics presents a hazard by itself, resulting in environmental pollution due to the very slow decomposition of conventional polymers.
Biodegradable packaging may help resolving this controversy, provided its performance in preserving fruit and vegetable quality is at least equal to that of conventional plastics.
In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a compostable packaging film for preservation of bunch tomatoes.
The performance of the biodegradable film was tested during simulated distribution, marketing and subsequent home storage, in comparison with open rigid containers and commercial flexible macro-perforated polypropylene bags.
When compostable packaging was used in non-perforated form, there was a high chance of hypoxic fermentation manifested as impaired ripening, prohibitive off-flavor and excessive softening.
These undesirable phenomena were prevented by film perforation.
In contrast to polypropylene bags, no water condensation was observed in the biodegradable packages due to their somewhat higher water vapor transmission rate.
Micro-perforated compostable packages outperformed the commercial bags in preservation of tomato quality due to the buildup of beneficial in-package modified atmosphere.
Optimally perforated biodegradable packaging combined the advantage of improved sustainability with superior vegetable storage performance.
Authors
V. Rodov, A. Sabag, R. Porat
Keywords
compostable packaging, biodegradable film, sustainability, fresh produce, postharvest quality, perforation, modified atmosphere, humidity, tomato
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