Extension of shelf life of pear fruits using different packaging materials

Abstract

An experiment was conducted on pear fruit (cv. 'Lagoon') to extend the shelf life by using different packaging materials. Fruits were packed in low density polyethylene (LDPE, 0.025mm), polypropylene (PP, 0.025mm), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE, 0.0125mm) and high density polyethylene (HDPE, 0.025mm) with or without perforation and stored at ambient condition (25 ± 2°C and 65.0 ± 5% RH). Periodical observations were recorded on CO2 & O2 concentration (%), physiological loss in weight (PLW, %), decay loss (%), firmness (kgf), colour value (colour difference and colour index), total soluble solid (TSS, °Brix), acidity (mg of malic acid/g), and ascorbic acid loss (%) at 3days interval. Reduced rate of PLW and decay losses was recorded in pear fruits packed in PP non-perforated (8.04%) and PP perforated (12.5%), respectively as compared to other treatments. The maximum firmness (5.18kgf) and minimum ascorbic acid loss (49.97%) were also recorded in PP non-perforated up to 12 and 15days of storage, respectively. It could be inferred that the, PP non-perforated (0.025mm) was the most suitable packaging materials for extending the shelf life of pear fruits up to 15days at ambient condition.