Influence of modified atmospheric packaging and storage temperature on the physico-chemical, microbial and organoleptic properties of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) fruit

Abstract

Cantaloupe is an economically important fruit with pleasant flavour but nutritional component is highly perishable due to high moisture content. To reduce rot away in the farmland it is urgent to have suitable strategy to extend its shelf life for commercial distribution. This study was conducted during 2020 at Soc Trang Nanotech Laboratory, Soc Trang Province, Vietnam with an attempt to demonstrate the effect of modified atmospheric packaging with different formulations (control, 95% N2: 5% O2: 0% CO2 , 90% N2: 5% O2: 5% CO2, 85% N2: 10% O2: 5% CO2, 80% N2: 10% O2: 10% CO2, 75% N2: 15% O2: 10% CO2 and 70% N2: 15% O2: 15% CO2) and storage temperature (28, 24, 20, 16, 12, 8 and 4°C) on the physicochemical, microbial and organoleptic properties of cantaloupe for 14 days. Results revealed that cantaloupe fruits stored in modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) of 80% N2: 10% O2: 10% CO2 under 12°C temperature had stable shelf life up to 14 days. Air composition and temperature significantly affected the physico-chemical (weight loss, firmness, total soluble solid, ascorbic acid, carotenoid, total phenolic, flavonoid, DPPH, FRAP), microbial (total plate count) and sensory attributes (overall acceptance) of cantaloupe fruit.