Study of the Quality of Zalacca Fruit on Control Atmosphere Storage (CAS) and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

Abstract

Zalacca fruit has a short shelf life which is about 5-7 days after harvest. Control Atmosphere Storage (CAS) and Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) are alternative technologies that can be applied to increase the shelf life of fruit. In the CAS system, zalacca fruit was stored in a room with a composition of 9% O2 and CO2, a temperature of 8-12ºC, and 90% RH, while in the MAP system the fruit was packed in plastic crates in a capacity of 8 kg then the crates are coated with plastic which is given holes as many as 72 holes measuring 0.5 cm. The results showed that zalacca fruit can be stored in CAS conditions for 26 days with a weight loss of 1.25% and a damage level of 7.3%, while the weight loss and damage levels of zalacca fruit on MAP storage were 2.6% and 29.5%. Microscopically the fruit of zalacca CAS and MAP showed skin wrinkling which was thought to be related to the occurrence of water loss during storage. Based on the data obtained, the storage of zalacca fruit by CAS was more effective than MAP.