Influence of different polyethylene packaging on shelf life of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa Linn.) loose flowers

Abstract

Tuberose is an important commercial loose flower crop because of its fragrant flowers which can be utilized in many ways. Tuberose loose flowers retain their freshness only for a few days in ordinary condition. Packaging technology concentrated on longer period of storage of loose flowers would certainly be beneficial. In view of rapidly increasing demand of loose flowers of tuberose and need for extending their postharvest quality, the present study was initiated. the experiments included ten treatments namely, three thickness of polyethylene bags (dimention 20 x25 cm), i.e., 50, 75 and 100 micron with three levels of ventilated rates i.e., 0%, 1% and 2% and control. three cultivars of Single petalled tuberose namely, Mexican Single, Prajwal and Sikkim Selection were chosen for the experimentation. Fully developed mature florets (loose flowers) were plucked from growing plants and brought to the laboratory for experimentation. the statistically analysed data revealed that the higher (in cvs Mexican Single, Prajwal and Sikkim Selection, respectively) floret diameter (4.66, 5.00 and 5.58 mm), floret weight (0.62, 0.70 and 0.84g), relative water content (84.03, 82.97 and 88.86%), membrane stability index (76.90, 77.32 and 79.81%), total sample weight (178.86, 169.80 and 175.93g) and shelf life (5, 6 and 5 day) were recorded with loose flowers stored in 100 micron thick polyethylene bags without ventilation. The control treatment (when florets were kept in open plastic basket) recorded the lower value for above mentioned parameters. the lower physiological loss in weight (0.66, 1.75 and 2.38g, respectively) was obtained in florets packed in 100 micron thick polyethylene bags without ventilation. on the other hand, the higher physiological loss in weight (94.98, 95.90 and 96.14g, respectively) was reported in control treatment. The higher freshness index of florets (5 for all cultivars) was recorded when florets were packed in 50, 75 and 100 micron thick polyethylene bags with 0% ventilation, followed by (for all cultivars) packaging of florets in 50, 75 and 100 micron thick polyethylene bags with 1% ventilation. However, the lower freshness index (1 for all cultivars) was obtained in florets packed in 50, 75 and 100 micron thick polyethylene bags with 2% ventilation and also in control treatment.