Cardamom oil-infused paper box: Enhancing rambutan fruit post-harvest disease control with reusable packaging

Abstract

The research aimed to develop a paper box with 10–300 μl of cardamom oil to improve rambutan storage, reduce waste, and explore reuse possibilities. The experiment investigated the delay in mold growth caused by the post-harvest disease, Pestalotiopsis sp., both on the medium and on rambutan fruit under storage conditions of 10 ± 2 °C and approximately 80% RH. The results showed that CM at 300 μl significantly inhibited Pestalotiopsis sp. mycelium and spore germination on the medium, while a lower volume of 30 μl effectively delayed mold incidence on rambutan during the 14-day storage period. The confirmed antifungal mode of action indicated that CM disrupted Pestalotiopsis sp. ergosterol and cell membrane integrity, resulting in mycelium lysis and damaged morphology, thereby inhibiting its growth. The active fruit box can be reused for at least 2 or 3 storage cycles, effectively delaying rambutan decay and preserving its color change parameters. By using the box with 30 μl of CM, rambutan's shelf-life was extended to 14 days compared to the control's shelf-life of around 7 days. Active paper boxes offer a valuable solution for improving post-harvest fruit storage and transportation, benefiting both farmers and consumers.