Effect of packaging materials and storage time on changes of colour, phenolic content, chlorogenic acid and antioxidant activity in arabica green coffee beans (Coffea arabica L. cv. Catimor)

Abstract

The conditions and storage time of green coffee beans are very important for the commercial quality of coffee. This includes factors such as light, humidity and temperature in the warehouse and also the packaging material used. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of type of packaging materials namely high density polyethylene (HDPE) bag and jute sack on moisture content, colour, phenolic contents, chlorogenic acids content and antioxidant activity of Arabica green coffee bean during 15 months of storage. The results show that HDPE bag can preserve the moisture content, colour and chlorogenic acid in green coffee beans (GCB) better than a jute sack during storage. No significant difference of phenolics content in green coffee beans was observed during 4 months of storage in both types of packaging. During initial 10 months of storage the antioxidant activity of GCB stored in HDPE showed higher values than that of GCB stored in jute sack. However, after 1 year of storage, the phenolics content and antioxidant activity in GCB in a jute sack were higher than in HDPE bag. The fluctuation of moisture content could lead to stress condition of green coffee bean and contributing to forming of bioactive compounds. This finding was observed and need further investigation.