Simulated logistical transport effects on textural change of wax apple using different packaging types during storage time

Abstract

The textural damage caused by logistics transport is a major problem during the post-harvest logistics and storage time of agricultural products. To address the issue, this study investigated the impact on the textural change of wax apple with different packaging types by conducting international safe transit association 6-amazon. com-sioc type A (ISTA 6 A) tests and measured the changes in related indicators over the eight-day storage time period at 15 ℃. The results demonstrated that compared to non-vibrated wax apple of the same packaging type, the damage index of the vibration-treated wax apple increased to 0.39 at the end of storage time. This led to more noticeable damage to fruit texture in the vibration-treated wax apple. With the same outer packaging type, different types of expanded polyethylene (EPE) cushioning materials presented varying degrees of textural damage following vibration treatment. The order was double-layer foam net (DL-FN, 0.23) < single-layer foam net (SL-FN, 0.38) < EPE liner (EPE-L, 0.50). The superior cushioning performance of DL-FN could distribute vibratory energy across the entire wax apple to reduce partial textural injury, but SL-FN provided weaker cushioning protection. Furthermore, it was more beneficial for the dissipation of respiratory heat to suppress the related cell-wall enzymes activities and prevented internal cottony softening of wax apple by maintaining an appropriate environment within the packaging, while EPE-L prevented respiratory heat dissipation and water diffusion. Using the same cushioning type, no significant difference was observed in the damage of fruit texture between the wax apple packaging by foam box (FB, 0.25) and corrugated box (CB, 0.23). The finding suggested that when the outer package had sufficient supporting performance, the cushioning type required not only adequate cushioning property, but also excellent vapor and gas permeability in order to facilitate respiratory heat diffusion and better protect the textural integrity of the wax apple in the process of logistics. This protection was crucial for the development of wax apple in e-commerce logistics.