Biodegradable and Compostable Film and Modified Atmosphere Packaging in Postharvest Supply Chain of Raspberry Fruits (cv. Grandeur)

Abstract

In this study, noncommercial biodegradable and compostable nonperforated films (F2, F3, F4) were evaluated for modified atmosphere packaging storage for 5 days at 1 ± 1C and 7 days at 20 ± 1C of raspberries cv. Grandeur. After measuring the CO2 (PeCO2) and the O2 (PeO2) permeability of new films at different temperatures, the most important qualitative traits and nutraceutical components of fruits were analyzed and compared with those of unwrapped raspberries and macroperforated film (F1). As the temperature increased, the F2 and F3 were the only films to allow storage of the fruits up to 12 days, but the F3 film (5.7 kPa O2 and values of 31.6 kPa CO2) was the best for maintaining the color parameter (L 29.0, chroma 36.4) close to the value observed at harvest because of a similar ratio between the PeCO2 and the PeO2 (4.2 and 4.1, respectively) at both low and high temperatures. Practical Applications This study of the permeability of new films from renewable sources for packaging raspberries in a temperature range that can simulate the postharvest supply chain could indicate that storing these perishable fruits under modified atmospheric packaging could increase environmental sustainability.