Selection of Non-Perforated Breathable Film to Enhance Storability of Cherry Tomato for Modified Atmosphere Storage at Different Temperatures

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the appropriate packaging materials to extend the storability and maintain the quality of cherry tomato for modified atmosphere (MA) storage. Tomatoes were grown by hydroponic at a plastic house in Gangwon Province. Light red maturity stage tomatoes were harvested and packed with MA condition (10,000; 20,000; 40,000; 60,000; 80,000; and 100,000cc/m².day.atm O₂ permeability film) and perforated film to store at 5℃, 11℃ and 24℃. The fresh weight loss was less than 0.6% in all non-perforated breathable films at 5℃, 11℃, and 24℃, but perforated film had less than 2.93% at 5℃, 13.29% at 11℃ and 27.24% at 24℃. The 20,000cc at 5℃ and 11℃, and the 40,000cc film at 24℃ balanced optimum carbon dioxide and oxygen concentration in the package to maintain quality. The 10,000cc film was appeared the significantly highest ethylene concentration at 5℃, 11℃, and 24℃, this film had the lowest O₂ permeability. Visual quality, firmness, and soluble solids were maintained in 20,000cc films both at 5℃ and 11℃, the 40,000cc film at 24℃. There was no any trend in titratable acidity and vitamin C content of treated packed film types and temperatures at cherry tomatoes packages. Therefore, the appropriate MA condition for 5℃ and 11℃ is 20,000cc/m².day.atm O₂ permeability film; for 24℃ it is 40,000cc/m².day.atm O₂ permeability film because those films extended the storability through the firmness, soluble solids as well as visual quality.