Effect of packaging materials on quality losses in fresh fig (Ficus carica L.) fruits during transportation

Abstract

The protection of the fig fruit quality in the chains from harvesting to marketing is very important. Vibration often causes some damages to perishable fruits in transportation and reduces their quality. The fruit injury due to vibration is related to the transportation characteristics of vehicles, packaging boxes and the conditions of the roads. The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of packaging materials to reduce the quality loss of fresh fig during transportation. The experiments were carried out with five packaging materials and three transportation distances. The results showed that the CFB box with news paper lining was not proper for transporting of the fresh fig fruits in all transportation distance. The mass loss and total soluble solids of fresh fig fruits packed in CFB box with paper lining was more than CFB box with polyurethane foam sheet and polyethylene foam sheet. Also the decay loss of fresh fig fruits was more in CFB box with paper lining. Fruits packed in CFB box with polyurethane foam sheet were more firm and extended shelf-life than other packaging material.