Design, development and performance evaluation of transportation container for sapota fruit

Abstract

A transportation container was developed to minimize transportation losses of sapota fruit. The container was made of corrugated polypropylene (PP) sheet. The container is completely foldable, reusable and enclosed condition for protecting produce from adverse climate. The adjustable cells were made to enhance the safety of fruits. Separation sheets were provided in a container to support the fruits. Perforation was provided for proper respiration of the fruits. Velcro feature was provided to erect and fold the container. Freshly harvested and uniformly matured and graded sapota fruits were transported in seven types of containers or bags with 10kg capacity stacked in six layers viz.; gunny bag, gunny bag lined with bubble sheet, perforated PP bag, foldable plastic container, egg tray in corrugated fiberboard box (CFB) carton, plastic crate and CFB carton. The fruits were transported from Junagadh to Jamnagar and returned from Jamnagar to Junagadh by road approximately 350km in goods rickshaw. Effect of different containers on quality parameters of sapota fruits viz., hardness (30.09kg/cm2), firmness (12.63 kgf) and rupture force (100.2 kgf) were found maximum and weight loss (1.01%), deformation (10.9mm) and total soluble solids (16.40°Brix) were found minimum in the fruits transported in foldable plastic container. Bruising, cracking and impact damage were not observed on the fruits transported in foldable plastic container. Maximum marketable fruits (98.37%) were observed in foldable plastic container. Transportation losses of sapota fruits in foldable plastic container were minimized 8.65% and 2.85% as compared to gunny bag and plastic crate, respectively.