THE EFFECT OF OZONATED WATER WASHING ON THE QUALITY OF HONEY PINEAPPLE PRESERVED AT ROOM TEMPERATURE AND IN THE OZONE COLD STORAGE

Abstract

<p>An attempt to maintain the quality and preservation of honey pineapple (<em>Ananas comosus</em>) is required to avoid fruit loss and its nutritional values. This research aimed to determine the effect of washing with ozonated water and preservation in the cold storage on the quality of honey pineapple. The research was arranged in a completely randomized design with two factors consisting of washing water (ozonated water and non-ozonated water) and storage (ozone cold storage at 2–7 <sup>o</sup>C and room temperature at 25–28 <sup>o</sup>C). Honey pineapples were observed for 35 and 20 days in ozone cold storage and at room temperature, respectively. The results showed that ozonation reduced the total bacterial count. Washing with ozonated water did not affect the glucose content of honey pineapple stored at room temperature, but affected those in cold storage. On the other hand, ozonation affected both vitamin C content and weight loss of honey pineapple stored at room temperature and in cold storage. Ozone is able to control bacterial development in honey pineapple resulted in longer shelf life compared to those without ozonation.</p>