Articles
THE EFFECTS OF MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING ON QUALITY AND STORAGE LIFE OF APRICOT
Controlled atmosphere (CA) storage and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) have become increasingly more important in this respect.
The aim of the work undertaken in this study was to determine the effect of different MA conditions on quality and shelf-life of apricot.
After their harvest, samples were transported to our laboratories within 8 hours.
Apricots were packaged by applying the passive and active modification modes.
Some of them were stored unpacked as a control.
Samples were placed into a storage room and maintained at 0 °C. Gas composition changes in the package atmosphere were determined during the storage period.
The quality parameters studied were texture, pH, dry matter content, total acidity, weight loss and sensory evaluations.
As a result of this study the shelf-life of unpacked control apricots was found to be 4 weeks.
Applications of passive and active modes on the packaging of apricots, passive modification using 50 μm low density polyethylene (LDPE) film was found to be suitable to protect the quality of apricots during 6 weeks of storage at 0 °C.