Shelf life extension of peach palm heart packed in different plastic packages

Stéfanny Aparecida Ribeiro,Regina Celi C Coneglian,Edlene R Prudêncio,Thayane A De Deco,Beatriz C Da Silva,Anelise Dias

doi:10.1590/s0102-0536-20210104

Stéfanny Aparecida Ribeiro, Regina Celi C Coneglian + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s0102-0536-20210104

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Abstract

ABSTRACT Peach palm heart (Bactris gasipaes) is a highly perishable product and, therefore, studies on extending its shelf life are quite necessary. Considering the high demand of this vegetable, this study aimed to evaluate the influence of using different plastic packages in order to extend the shelf life of the peach palm heart in natura. Stipes were collected from plants grown on family farms located in the municipality of Seropédica-RJ. Stipes were peeled, sanitized and packed at the Post-harvest Laboratory in Universidade Federal Rural do Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). In this experiment, the following treatments were applied: a control without package (C), unperforated polyethylene bag (UPB), perforated polyethylene bag (PPB), microperforated polyethylene bag (MPPB), and styrofoam tray + plastic film (STPF). The material was stored in a cold chamber under controlled temperature (5±2oC) for 24 days and then at room temperature (28±2oC) on the 25th day. Physical, chemical and visual evaluations were carried out for 25 days, with samples submitted to evaluations at 0 (initial characterization), 4, 8, 12, 16, 20, 24 and 25 days of storage. Microbiological evaluations were performed for 18 days, with samples submitted to evaluations at 0, 8, and 16 days of storage. The results indicate that using plastic package combined with refrigeration was efficient in extending the shelf life of in natura peach palm hearts, by reducing fresh mass loss, maintaining visual quality and reducing sample contamination. The PPB, UPB and MPPB packages showed good performance considering the shelf life extension of the packed vegetable. Thus, we recommend the acquisition of cheaper packages, so that smallholder farmers could obtain higher profitability.

Highlights

O palmito pupunha (Bactris gasipaes) é considerado um produto altamente perecível, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de estudos que visem o prolongamento do tempo de vida útil do mesmo
Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da utilização de diferentes embalagens plásticas na extensão da vida útil de palmito in natura em tolete
Shelf life extension of peach palm heart packed in different plastic packages this situation and concerning about a possible extinction of such palm species, peach palm heart (Bactris gasipaes) can be considered an excellent alternative to reduce this extinction risk, since it is a precocious palm species, showing good tillering potential, being rustic, and of excellent quality of palm heart (Fonseca et al, 2009)

Summary

Introduction

O palmito pupunha (Bactris gasipaes) é considerado um produto altamente perecível, sendo necessário o desenvolvimento de estudos que visem o prolongamento do tempo de vida útil do mesmo. Os resultados obtidos indicaram que a utilização de todos os tipos de sacos plásticos combinados com refrigeração foram eficientes no prolongamento do tempo de vida útil do palmito pupunha in natura em tolete, por reduzir a perda de massa fresca, manter a qualidade visual e reduzir a contaminação dos toletes. As embalagens SPP, SPNP e SPMP apresentaram um bom desempenho no prolongamento do tempo de vida útil das amostras de palmito em tolete. Grosso and Santa Catarina the main producers (IBGE, 2020) In this context, the sector showed a very good financial return and considerable economic importance, Modolo (2017) states that approximately 60% of national production is still obtained in an extractive and predatory way. Cold storage is one of the most commonly used physical methods to improve shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables, being considered highly efficient, with high energy demand, though (Ma et al, 2017)

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