Use of Modified Atmosphere Packaging with Microperforated Polypropylene Films to Maintain Postharvest Loquat Fruit Quality

Abstract

Loquat fruits (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl cv. `Algerie') were stored in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), using five types of microperforated polypropylene (PP) films during 2, 4, and 6 weeks at 2 °C and for a subsequent period of 4 days at 20 °C shelf life (SL) out of the bags. Loquat fruits stored without packaging and in normal air served as control. The atmosphere composition at the steady state depended on the film permeability, ranging from 1.2 to 8.5 kPa for CO2 and from 19.5 to 13 kPa for O2 as film permeability decreased. Weight loss was drastically reduced by MAP conditions. Softening, color evolution, and decreases in sugars and organic acids were delayed, these effects also being evident after the SL period. Scores for visual aspect and facility of peeling were also higher for loquat stored in MAP than for controls. Taking into account results form all quality parameters, the most suitable atmosphere for loquat storage was found to be around 2—4 and 16—18 kPa for CO2 and O2, respectively, reached in the PA-80 and PA-60 films. In addition, the storage period for optimum loquat quality maintenance was established as 2 weeks of cold storage plus SL for control fruits, while under MAP conditions, storage periods could be extended up to 6 weeks plus SL, especially using PA-80 and PA-60 films.