Preservation and post-harvest quality of okra using low density polyethylene

Abstract

<abstract> Okra (<italic>Abelmoschus esculentus</italic> L. Moench) is a vegetable crop of high nutritional value, which presents great losses after harvest when stored under poor storage conditions. The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of different low-density polyethylene (LDPE) thicknesses on the preservation and post-harvest quality of okra fruits under different storage periods. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design, with nine replicates, in a 5 × 5 factorial scheme, corresponding to five forms of packaging at a temperature of 10 ± 1 ℃: no film and four LDPE thicknesses (10, 20, 30, and 40 µm) with five storage periods (0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days). It was revealed that the use of LDPE plastic films provided lower loss of mass, higher fruit firmness containment of increase in soluble solids, and lower color change at 21 days of storage compared to no film. The LDPE thickness of 30 µm showed lower incidence of rotting, better appearance throughout storage, lower color changes, containment of increase in soluble solids content, higher chlorophyll, ascorbic acid, and total phenolic content compared to other forms of packaging, and is the most appropriate package for storing okra fruits up to 21 days, under refrigeration condition. The results of this study show that the thickness of LDPE has significant effects on the conservation and quality of okra. Our findings can be used to minimize post-harvest losses of okra during marketing. </abstract>