Articles
Enhancing the shelf-life of pawpaw fruit at room temperature using modified atmosphere and plastic packaging
Article number
1460_36
Pages
307 – 314
Language
English
Abstract
Pawpaw (Asimina triloba), the only temperate member of the Annonaceae family, is an emerging high-value niche fruit crop for small farmers.
However, its highly perishable nature limits the marketing window to 3-5 days at room temperature or about a month under cold storage.
This study examined the effectiveness of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) using plastic bags, as well as ethylene absorbers, to extend the shelf-life of pawpaw fruit without refrigeration.
Fruit of the pawpaw cultivar ‘Susquehanna’ were stored at room temperature (22-23°C) under three conditions: no bag, plastic bag with ambient air, and plastic bag with an ethylene absorber.
Data on firmness, brix, color, and weight were taken on 5, 10, and 15 days after storage.
In plastic bags containing an ethylene absorber, there was no significant reduction in ethylene concentration compared to the control bags, although there was a trend for lower ethylene concentration.
Fruit firmness declined during the study period across all treatments.
Fruit in the ethylene absorber treatment had a significant drop in firmness after day 5. Fruit stored without any bag treatment had a significantly higher weight loss likely due to higher transpiration and dehydration.
Ethylene absorbers in plastic packaging did not decrease ethylene concentration or increase fruit quality, in terms of firmness, brix, and color, at room temperature.
However, plastic packaging did significantly reduce weight loss by fruit at room temperature storage.
However, its highly perishable nature limits the marketing window to 3-5 days at room temperature or about a month under cold storage.
This study examined the effectiveness of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) using plastic bags, as well as ethylene absorbers, to extend the shelf-life of pawpaw fruit without refrigeration.
Fruit of the pawpaw cultivar ‘Susquehanna’ were stored at room temperature (22-23°C) under three conditions: no bag, plastic bag with ambient air, and plastic bag with an ethylene absorber.
Data on firmness, brix, color, and weight were taken on 5, 10, and 15 days after storage.
In plastic bags containing an ethylene absorber, there was no significant reduction in ethylene concentration compared to the control bags, although there was a trend for lower ethylene concentration.
Fruit firmness declined during the study period across all treatments.
Fruit in the ethylene absorber treatment had a significant drop in firmness after day 5. Fruit stored without any bag treatment had a significantly higher weight loss likely due to higher transpiration and dehydration.
Ethylene absorbers in plastic packaging did not decrease ethylene concentration or increase fruit quality, in terms of firmness, brix, and color, at room temperature.
However, plastic packaging did significantly reduce weight loss by fruit at room temperature storage.
Authors
K. Shahi, K.W. Pomper, J.D. Lowe, S.B. Crabtree, B. Arnoldussen
Keywords
Asimina triloba, climacteric fruit, postharvest, ethylene absorber, weight loss
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