Corrugated Fibre Board Boxes Research Articles

CFB box wrapping: a new shrink wrapping technology for extension of storage life of colour capsicum (cv. Bachata).

Capsicums lose water very rapidly after harvest and the moisture loss causes severe shriveling making them unmarketable within 2-3days. The moisture loss occurs even under low temperature conditions, though at lesser rates. Bell peppers packed in corrugated fiber board boxes (CFB) tend to lose moisture continuously as these boxes are permeable to both water vapour and respiratory gases even if they are non-ventilated. To reduce the moisture loss and maintain freshness, yellow colour capsicum (cv. Bachata) were packed in CFB boxes and over wrapped with different semi-permeable films using shrink wrapping technology. This box shrink wrapping significantly lowered the weight loss and maintained firmness of capsicum at ambient (25.7-33.2°C and 25-63% RH) and low temperature (8°C ± 0.5 and 80 ± 5% RH) conditions. Yellow colour capsicums packed in this way could be stored for 11days at ambient temperature with a weight loss of < 6% as compared to about 20% weight loss in non-wrapped fruits. The storage life could be extended to 5weeks by storing these shrink wrapped boxes at 8°C without any shriveling and with a weight loss of < 5%. In addition to maintaining high humidity, the lower O2 and higher CO2 levels maintained surrounding the produce in the wrapped boxes helped to avoid shriveling and to retain the quality in terms of surface colour, firmness and other quality traits. The absorption of excessive relative humidity by CFB itself in the over wrapped boxes helped in avoiding condensation of water droplets. This in turn avoided the development of fungal growth and thus the risk of fruit decay.

국내 택배용 딸기의 적정 완충포장 시스템 개발

Due to the rapid increase in cyber shopping mall of agricultural products, the parcel delivery service industry also increased, making it necessary to design an optimum packaging for agricultural products. And Due to the recent increase in strawberry consumption, there is also a need for a packaging system for parcel delivery service. In order to establish the criteria for optimum cushioning packaging design of strawberries, the bioyield strength of strawberries by storage time was measured through the ASABE test standards, and the peak acceleration in the resonance frequency and resonance frequency bands of strawberries was measured through the vibration test regulated in the ASTM test specifications. Tray cup pad and corrugated fiberboard box of delivery strawberries were designed using FEM theoretical analysis of contact stress and resonant frequency. In addition, an optimum packaging system was developed with a cushioning and vibration design considering the impact characteristics when distributing agricultural products. Through the performance evaluation and on-site evaluation of the optimum packaging system of strawberries for parcel delivery service, the random PSD test results of the delivery showed a 74% reduction in the acceleration level, and the actual distribution test of the delivery showed that the damage rate of strawberries was not more than 6.7%, indicating that it was possible to use the optimum packaging of strawberries for delivery.

Effects of cushioning materials and temperature on quality damage of ripe peaches according to the vibration test

Abstract Ripe peaches offer better flavor and taste but are more susceptible to mechanical damage than mature peaches. This study evaluated the protective performance of three cushioning materials (polyurethane (PU)+corrugated fiberboard boxes (CFB), expandable polyethylene (EPE)+CFB and CFB) and their packaging formats against mechanical damage to ripe peaches under simulated transportation at different vibration temperatures. In the first test, a 3-compartment tray was designed to study the isolated effect of only vibration force on an individual peach. The second test was conducted to verify the results of the first test and showed that the packaging format of PU + CFB performed better than the EPE + CFB and CFB formats. Moreover, ripe peaches vibrated at 10 °C had less damage than those vibrated at 20 and 30 °C. In addition, the bruise area, decay rate, and total phenolic contents of ripe peaches had significant linear correlations with each other on the first day after vibration.

An analysis of the influence of hand hole and ventilation hole design on compressive strength of corrugated fiberboard boxes by an artificial neural network model

This research aimed at developing a high‐performing corrugated fiberboard box compression strength prediction model and to analyze the influences of ventilation and hand hole designs for these containers on the box compression test (BCT) by applying artificial neural network (ANN) modeling. The input variables considered in this study are composed of nine parameters including box dimension as well as shapes, sizes, positions, and locations of ventilations and hand holes of a regular slotted container (RSC, FEFCO 0201). Back propagation algorithms (BPNs) of ANN models were developed from 970 BCT testing data points (single wall boards, C flute, 205/112/205 g/m2). Tested data was randomly broken into three groups for the model development as 80:10:10 for the training set, testing set, and validating set. According to the analysis performed, a BPN 9‐13‐1 model reflected the highest prediction performance withR2= 0.97. According to the analysis, BCT was significantly affected by the hand hole location followed by the geometrical dimensions of the box (height, length, and width) and the ventilation factors (shape, number, and location) in that order. Hand holes at the top flaps caused a lower BCT reduction compared with those at the vertical locations of the box. Slight changes to the eliminated board area for both hand holes and ventilation (±5%) contributed to less BCT reduction compared with its locations and shapes. Interestingly, increasing the box height significantly increased the BCT, and this was found to be limited only to shorter boxes fabricated from a high stiffness corrugated board.

Synergistic effect of salicylic acid and chitosan on postharvest life and quality attributes of jamun (Syzygium cumini Skeels) fruit

Syzygium cumini Skeels, commonly known as jamun, is an under-utilized fruit crop, native to India. The fruit is rich in several bioactive compounds and possesses several medicinal properties, especially therapeutic effects towards healing diabetes. However, the fruit deteriorates rapidly after harvest and can only be stored for 2–3 days at ambient conditions. Therefore, the present study was conducted to extend the storability and preserve jamun fruit quality during storage at ambient conditions. Fully ripe jamun fruits were immersed in salicylic acid (SA, 1.0 mM or 1.5 mM) or chitosan (1.5% w/v) solutions either alone or in combination. Fruits dipped in distilled water served as control. Following treatments, fruits were dried in air and stored at room temperature in corrugated fibre board boxes. The results indicated that 1.5% chitosan + 1.5 mM SA treatment was highly effective in preserving fruit quality and delaying senescence. This treatment resulted in about 19.5% lower weight loss, 49.9% lower decay loss, and 48% lower malondialdehyde content than control fruit. Combined treatment of chitosan and SA (1.5 mM) retained about 1.34-fold higher total anthocyanins, 1.69-fold higher total phenolics, 1.5-fold higher total flavonoids, 1.75-fold higher total antioxidant capacity, and 1.5-fold higher radical scavenging activity than control up to 6 day storage. Significant variations in ascorbic acid and titratable acidity were not recorded among salicylic acid-treated and chitosan-coated fruits; however, total soluble solids content was highest in chitosan-coated fruits. The findings of the study will be useful to increase the availability of jamun fruit and enable for its long-distance transport and subsequent marketing.

Influence of harvesting method on postharvest loss, shelf-life and quality of mango (Mangifera indica) fruits

Postharvest losses in mango fruits affect its availability and per capita consumption to consumers. Among the factors causing postharvest losses, improper harvesting method is major one, which affects postharvest quality and shelf life of mango fruits. Hence, an attempt was made to observe the response of mango towards harvesting method. For this study, four commercial cultivars of mango (Amrapali, Chausa, Dushehariand, and Langra) grown at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi were selected. Fruits were harvested manually and mechanically at full maturity, desaped, pre-cooled and stored in corrugated fibre board boxes (CFB) at ambient conditions for 10 days. Observations on various postharvest loss parameters were recorded, right from harvesting, till the end of shelf-life. Results revealed that significant differences occurred among cultivars and storage days in both manual and mechanically harvested fruits. Further, mechanical harvesting was found efficient not only in controlling quantitative loss but also maintained postharvest quality and increased shelf-life significantly. Interestingly, cultivar Amrapali and Dushehari were recorded as more responsive towards mechanical harvesting as they exhibited for less postharvest losses and maintained better quality than Langra and Chausa. Thus, mechanical harvesting and knowledge of cultivar response towards mechanical harvesting will help growers in reducing postharvest losses and increasing shelf-life and quality of mango fruits.

Digital image correlation analysis of vertical strain for corrugated fiberboard box panel in compression

This work was aimed at examining the overall contributions to displacement of panels of compressed boxes, such as panel compression strain and flap and crease displacements. 3D digital image correlation (DIC) was used to analyse motion of side panels of corrugated fiberboard regular slotted containers. The vertical displacement and the vertical component of strain of the panel face during box compression test were examined. Measuring displacements of the whole compressed box with DIC enables measurement of the in‐plane compression of a panel in isolation from the horizontal fold or crease zone displacement, without having to test tube sections of the box to infer or extract the in‐plane panel compression behaviour. Detailed study of two box designs in three representative test cases was presented, which in future could be extended to other box designs. At peak load, the in‐plane compression of the panels, calculated from the average vertical component of the strain along the right edge of the long panel of the box, was 3% to 6% of total crosshead displacement for the test cases. At peak load, the portion of the box compression associated with bottom box flaps or crease zone crushing was 48% to 59% of total crosshead displacement for the different cases. The analysis showed that the majority of the vertical displacement of the box occurred in the top and bottom creased folds and that these folds are responsible for the low apparent in‐plane stiffness of a box.

Hydrocooling delays pericarp browning, enzymatic activities and maintains quality of litchi fruits under cold chain conditions

The role of hydrocooling on storage life of litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cultivar ‘Dehradun’ was investigated. The bunches of litchi fruits cv. Dehradun were harvested at the physiological mature stage i.e. when fruit attained full rosy red colour. Thereafter, small bunches of about half kilogrammes fruits were prepared and subjected to hydrocooling treatments for 10, 20 and 30 min. The temperature of water was maintained at 4°C with auto-cut refrigeration system. The fruits without hydrocooling were kept as control treatment. The temperature of cooling media and fruit pulp was regularly monitored with digital thermometer. Immediately after giving hydrocooling treatments, fruits were air-dried to remove the surface moisture and thereafter packed in corrugated fibre board boxes and stored in walk-in-cold room maintained at temperature 2–3°C and 90–95% relative humidity. The stored samples were evaluated periodically at weekly interval till four weeks various physiological, biochemical parameters and enzymatic activity. The results of the study indicated that litchi fruits hydrocooled for 30 min. maintained lower physiological weight loss (3.88%), browning index 3 (¼ to ½ browning), retained higher organoleptic score (7.15 out of 9), TSS (19.14°B), acidity (0.32%), total anthocyanins (0.31 δA/g FW) and total phenols (246.33 mg/100 g) during storage. The fruits subjected to hydrocooling for 30 min. also maintained the lowest activity of PPO activity as compared to control and other treatments. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of hydrocooling treatment in prolonging the storage life of litchi fruits for 21 days as compared to 7 days in case of control fruits.

Response of passive storage duration and polymeric packaging films on postharvest life of Suvasini tuberose cut spikes

A study was conducted at Department of Horticulture, MPUAT Udaipur on response of storage duration and packaging materials under passive modified atmosphere storage of tuberose cut spikes cv. Suvasini to find out the suitable packaging material and storage duration in tuberose to avoided seasonal glut in market. The experiment was conducted in completely randomized design with factorial concept and with three replications. The cut spikes were harvested when 1–2 florets showed colour, after pre cooling, pulsing with 20% sucrose solution cut spikes were packed in five wrapping materials (LDPE-25μ, 50μ, PP-25μ, 50μ and news paper wrapping served as control) and stored on five level of storage duration (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days). The cut spike packed sleeves were stored vertically under refrigerated condition at 3–4°C, 85–90% relative humidity. The stored spikes were removed after storage duration and kept in corrugated fibre board boxes for 6hrs simulated transit and various postharvest parameters were recorded. Polypropylene sleeves exerted varying effect on keeping quality of spikes. Vase life was maximum in polypropylene-25μ (11.64 days) and minimum in low density polyethylene 50μ sleeves. The keeping quality of unpackaged stored tuberose cut spikes was highly deteriorated, which decreases with increase in refrigerated storage duration. An ideal level of CO2 (1.98%), lower level O2 (13.84%) and C2H4 (0.78 ppm) respectively were recorded at 3 days storage duration packed in polypropylene-25μ. The spikes stored in polypropylene-25μ with 3 days storage level also showed highest basal florets diameter (3.55 cm), vase life (11.64 days), gain in fresh weight (7.72%) and water uptake (34.39 ml), which continued to decrease with increase in storage duration irrespective to packaging material. Optimum level of CO2(2.48%), lower level O2(12.36%) and C2H2(0.80 ppm) after 6 hrs simulated transit were recorded at 3 days storage in polypropylene-25μ. On the basis of three year study, it is recommended that polypropylene-25μ along with 3 days storage duration were found most suitable for post harvest life under passive modified atmosphere storage of tuberose.

Numerical Simulation for Compressive Strength of Corrugated Fiberboard Box

Numerical Simulation for Compressive Strength of Corrugated Fiberboard Box

Effect of Temperature on Shelf life of Muscat Hamburg Grapes under Storage

Grape is one of the commercially important fruit crop cultivated in the country under wide range of soil and climatic conditions. In India, it is cultivated in an area of 1.18 lakh ha with annual production of 25.85 lakh MT. Tamil Nadu (1.8 %) ranks third with a production of 0.47 lakh MT over an area of 2,800 ha after Maharashtra and Karnataka. The major grape growing regions in Tamil Nadu are Theni, Dindigul and Coimbatore districts. Grape berries are highly perishable in nature and losses due to inadequate post-harvest management amounts to about 20 to 30 per cent. Muscat Hamburg (Gulabi/ Panneer) grape variety is extensively grown in Tamil Nadu with an average yield is 10 to 12 tonnes per hectare. The storage experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with two treatments and ten replications. A total weight of ten kilogram was stored in each replication under each treatment. The grape bunches were harvested (120 days after pruning), trimmed and packed in corrugated fiber board boxes from farmer’s vineyard. Then the grapes were stored at Horticultural College and Research Institute, Periyakulam under ambient condition (30±2°C; 50-70 %) as well as under cold storage condition (4±2°C; 90-92 %). In this experiment, all the observations on post-harvest quality characters were made on daily basis under ambient storage condition, whereas two days interval under cold storage condition till the berries were over-ripe and become unfit for consumption. The results showed that grape bunches stored under cold storage condition had better shelf-life of 31.33 days with 4.51 % physiological loss in weight, 4.50 N mm-1 berry firmness, 14.77°Brix TSS, 0.32 % titrable acidity and organoleptic score of 6.4 than grape bunches stored at ambient condition..

Modelling Cooling of Packaged Fruit Using 3D Shape Models

This study presents a novel methodology to model the cooling processes of horticultural produce using realistic product shapes rather than commonly used simplified 3D shapes, such as spheres. Variable 3D apple and pear models were created by means of a validated geometric model generator based on X-ray computed tomography images. The fruit were randomly stacked into a geometrical model of a corrugated fibreboard box using the Discrete Element Method. A forced-air cooling process was simulated for three such apple filling patterns using CFD and the results were compared to those obtained with fruit represented by equivalent spheres. No significant difference in average aerodynamic resistance between the real apple shape and its spherical representation was found. The main contributor to the overall pressure drop was the package design rather than product shape. However, large differences in local air velocity and convective heat transfer coefficients were found between the two representations. The degree of cooling uniformity between individual fruit was overestimated when using simplified product shapes: real apple fruit shapes cooled less uniform. This difference between real and simplified product shapes was even larger for a box filled with pear fruit that are more different from a spherical shape. These results demonstrate that improved computer-aided design approaches help in simulating more accurate convective cooling processes. In a next step, such simulations will be used for multi-objective optimization of packaging in terms of cold chain efficiency and cooling uniformity.

Effect of ethylene on physiological changes during ripening of mango (Mangifera indica L.) Cv. Kesar

The mango fruit Cv. Kesar were exposed to ethylene gas (100 ppm) for 12, 18 and 24h in fruit ripening chamber (29.4-31.9oC. with 65-84 % R.H.) and the untreated fruit was kept at ambient temperature (26-30oC with 54-62% R.H.). The fruits were then removed from the ripening chamber at the end of exposure period, packed in corrugated fibreboard boxes and then kept at ambient condition to study the ripening behaviour. In ethephon dip treatments, the mango fruits were treated with ethephon at the concentration of 500,750 and 1000 ppm for five minutes, drained, packed in corrugated fibreboard boxes and then kept at ambient condition. It was found that mango Cv. Kesar exposed to the ethylene gas in the ripening chamber and ethephon dip treatment triggered the ripening process. It was observed that mango fruits Cv. Kesar ripened by exposing them to 100 ppm ethylene gas in ripening chamber for 18 hrs and storage at ambient condition recorded the maximum shelf life of 6 days and showed better results in respect of high overall acceptability score of 8.77. Similarly, mango fruits Cv. Kesar ripened by ethephon dip treatment of 750 ppm for 5 minutes and storage at ambient condition recorded the maximum shelf life of 8 days and showed better results in respect of high overall acceptability score of 8.66, respectively. The cost of ripening chamber for 800 kg fruits on per day interest and ethylene gas was considered for calculating the cost of ripening. The cost was found to be Rs 0.69 per kg.

Evaluation of Packaging Materials for Transportation of Apple Fruits in CFB Boxes

Studies were carried out for two consecutive years (2013-2014) to identify appropriate packaging materials for transportation of apples. Fruits of Red Delicious cultivar harvested on 3rd week of September were packed in different types of corrugated fiber board (CFB) boxes and transported from HRS, Rajikot , Jumla , Nepal (2390 m a.s.l., 29°17’ N, 82°13’ E) to Kohalpur , Banke , Nepal (215 km mountainous gravel road, 48 hours) by truck. The treatments were 10 kg capacity 5 ply and 7 ply CFB boxes having 140 psi, 160 psi and 180 psi bursting strength. To compare with conventional and government recommended practices, the fruits were also packed in 3 ply Beer cartons (conventional practice) and 7 ply 20 kg capacity CFB boxes (Government recommendation). The experiment was designed as eight treatments randomized completely with three replications. After transportation, fruits were stored as such condition in cold store at 5±1°C and 95% RH for one month. After storage, observations were made on physiological loss in weight (PLW), damage fruits, fruit quality and economic analysis. There was more than 50% reduction in PLW in all packaging treatments as compared to conventional one (3.8%). Similarly, total damaged fruits were highest (21.6%) in conventional practice which was reduced to 6.0 to 12.0% in other treatments. Among the treatments, 7 ply 180 psi bursting strength CFB box was the best to retain fruit quality. Besides reduction in postharvest loss and better quality fruits, higher gross return, higher benefit cost ratio was received from the improved technology. The use of 7 ply 180 psi CFB boxes has an additional benefit of NRs. 70625 (US $ 666) per 5000 kg fruits (1 truckload load). Higher cost of CFB boxes could be an important obstacle in adoption of improved technology; hence provision should be made from the government to subsidize for packaging materials to encourage adoption of improved technology.

Evaluation of Packaging Materials for Transportation of Golden Delicious Apple

Studies were carried out for two consecutive years (2013-2014) to identify appropriate packaging materials for transportation of Royal Delicious cultivar of apple. Fruits harvested on 3rd week of September were packed in different types of corrugated fiber board (CFB) boxes and transported from HRS, Rajikot, Jumla, Nepal (2390m a.s.l., 29017’ N, 82013’ E) to Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal (215 km mountainous gravel road, 48 hours) by truck. The treatments were 10 kg capacity 5 ply and 7 ply CFB boxes having 140 psi, 160 psi and 180 psi bursting strength. To compare with conventional and government recommended practices, the fruits were also packed in 3 ply Beer cartons (conventional practice) and 7 ply 20kg capacity CFB boxes (Government recommendation). The experiment was designed as eight treatments randomized completely with three replications. After transportation, fruits were stored as such condition in cold store at 5±1°C and 95% RH for one month. After storage, observations were made on physiological loss in weight (PLW), damage fruits, fruit quality and economic analysis. There was more than 40% reduction in PLW in all packaging treatments as compared to conventional one (4.4%). Similarly, highest postharvest loss (22.4%) was in conventional practice which was reduced to 6.6 to 16.9% in other treatments. Among the treatments, 7 ply 180 psi bursting strength CFB box was the best to retain fruit quality. Besides reduction in postharvest loss and better quality fruits, higher gross return, higher benefit cost ratio was received from the improved technology. The use of 7 ply 180 psi CFB boxes has an additional benefit of NRs. 78750 (US $ 757) per truckload load (5000 kg fruits). Higher cost of CFB boxes could be an important obstacle in adoption of improved technology; hence provision should be made from the government to subsidize for packaging materials to encourage adoption of improved technology.

Physico-chemical and enzymatic changes in low temperature stored plum fruits in response to putrescine application

Plum is a perishable fruit and its ripening coincides with the hot and dry summer months under north Indianconditions. It has very short storage life at ambient temperature and high postharvest losses. An experiment wasplanned to extend the post-harvest life of plum fruits with putrescine application under cold storage conditions. Physiologically mature and uniform fruits of plum cv. Satluj Purple were dipped in different concentrations ofputrescine (0.0, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 mmol l−1) for 5 min. Treated fruits were air-dried in shade and packed in corrugatedfiber board boxes with paper lining before storage at 0–1˚C and 90–95% RH for 35 days. Results revealed thatfruits treated with putrescine @ 3.0 mmol l−1 retained the acceptable quality by reducing physiological loss inweight, spoilage, pectin methyl esterase activity and maintaining the fruit firmness, sensory quality, total solublesolids, titrable acidity, total sugars, reducing sugars and non-reducing sugars up to 28 days of storage.

Effect of Different Packages on Quality and Extension of Shelf-Life in Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L. Mill.)

Tomato hybrid NS-2535 at the turning stage was packed in three different packages, namely, Corrugated Fibre Board (CFB) boxes of size 400 x 300 x 150mm, plastic crates (400 x 300 x 150mm) and polyethylene bag of size 300 x 450mm. Samples were stored at ambient conditions (Temperature: 28-30°C, RH: 55-62%). The samples were analyzed for weight loss (%), spoilage (%), biochemical qualities and shelf-life during storage. Fruits had a shelf-life of 11 days in all the packages. At the end of the storage period, tomato packed in CFB boxes and plastic crates showed less spoilage (8.7%-7.65%) and lower weight loss (5.02-5.48%). Biochemical analysis showed that lycopene (2.282 and 2.414 mg/100g, respectively), carotenoids (6.46 and 5.26 mg/100g, respectively) and ascorbic acid content (28.83 and 31.14mg/100g, respectively) were higher in tomato packed in CFB boxes and plastic crates compared to those packed in polyethylene bag. Samples packed in CFB boxes had a higher content of total sugars (2.54%) than those in other packages. From our studies it was found that storage life of tomato (hyb. NS-2535) packed in CFB boxes and plastic crates could be extended upto 11 days at ambient conditions, with less spoilage, lower weight loss and greater retention of ascorbic acid, lycopene and total sugar content.

Pre-harvest application of salicylic acid and n-propyl gallate for enhancing shelf-life of guava

Present investigation was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of pre-harvest application of salicylic acid (SA) and N-propyl gallate (n-PG) for enhancing the postharvest shelf-life and quality of winter guava fruit cv. Allahabad Safeda during two seasons. Pre-harvest application of aqueous solutions of salicylic acid (150, 300, 450 ppm) or N-propyl gallate (100, 200, 300 ppm) was done at 2 and 4 weeks before harvest. Fruits were harvested during third week of December at the firm mature stage, packed in corrugated fibre board boxes with newspaper lining and stored in a walk-in-cold room maintained at 6–8°C and 90–95% RH. Fruits were analyzed at weekly intervals to evaluate various quality attributes. In control fruits harvested from untreated trees, weight loss and decay incidence increased, whereas, firmness, ascorbic acid, acidity, total phenols and pectin content decreased during the storage. Fruits treated with n-PG (300 ppm) showed minimum decay incidence (16.55%), reduced pectin methylesterase activity (2.96 μg/g FW), enhanced firmness (66.1 N), total soluble solids (9.96°Brix), acidity (0.35%), pectin (1.16% calcium pectate) and phenol contents (145.58 mg GAC/100 g pulp), and also maintained highly acceptable organoleptic rating up to 3 weeks of storage. Fruits subjected to SA treatments were intermediate in quality attributes between that of the control and n-PG treated fruits.

Studies on effect of various levels of ethephon on ripening of sapodilla fruits(Manilkara achras(Mill) Fosberg

Studies on the effect of various levels of ethephon on ripening of sapodilla (Manilkara achras (Mill) Fosberg) fruits under north Indian conditions was carried out on cultivars Kalipatti and Cricket Ball. The fruits were dipped in solution of ethephon @500ppm, 750ppm and 1000ppm for two minutes to induce ripening of fruits followed by drying and packing of fruits in corrugated fiber board boxes at ambient temperature. It was observed that fruits dipped in ethephon 1000ppm resulted in better ripening of fruits after three days with pleasant flavor, high TSS, lower acidity and acceptable sensory quality as compared to other treatments. The control fruits showed uneven ripening and were hard in texture with poor quality attributes

Influence of Post Harvest Calcium Chloride Treatment and Shrink Film Packaging on Storage Life of Pear Fruits

To enhance the storage life of pear cv. ‘Punjab Beauty ’, fruits were dipped in aqueous solution of calcium chloride (1.5 and 2.5%) for 5 min., packed in corrugated fibre board (CFB) boxes or shrinkfilm trays and stored at 0–1°C with 90–95% RH for 67 days. Untreated fruits were dipped in fresh water only and kept in CFB boxes. The weight loss was appreciably reduced in CaCl2 treated + shrink wrapped fruits. CaCl2 treatment @ 1.5% and shrink film tray packaging proved effective in maintaining the firmness and acid content of fruits. Maximum sensory quality of fruits was recorded after 45 days in fruits treated with CaCl2 @ 2.5% + CFB packing. Soluble solids content in fruit juice was highest after 60 day of storage in all the treatments. Combination of shrink film tray packaging + CaCl2 @ 1.5% treatment was effective in minimizing the physiological loss in weight of fruits and maintaining the fruit quality for 60 days under storage.