OPTIMIZATION OF DIFFERENT PACKAGING METHODS FOR EXTENDING SHELF-LIFE OF APPLE (MALUS DOMESTIKA BORKH.) DURING STORAGE

Abstract

Postharvest infrastructure is inadequate in India and losses are high. Cold storage facilities are scarce and beyond the reach of most of the growers. This study was undertaken to find a low cost solution for short term storage of apple in Uttarakhand state. Storage studies of apples harvested at optimum maturity were undertaken at ambient and zero energy cool chamber (ZECC) conditions for 120 days. ZECC is a low cost, cold storage structure for short term storage of fruits and vegetables. The effect of ISW (Individual Shrink Wrapping), TW (Tray Wrapping with 0.025 % and 0.05 % micro-perforations) was evaluated for control of postharvest losses/rotting and quality of fruits during storage. Results reveals that fruits kept in Tray Wrapping with 0.05 % perforations in ZECC conditions show minimum loss in weight i.e. (1.44% ) and TSS (13.38 ºBrix). Thus storage of apples in ZECC conditions (temperature 3.19 to 20.08oC) for a period of about 120 days after treating with Tray Wrapping with 0.050 % micro-perforation was highly beneficial, with minimum rotting (4%), changes in physico-chemical quality in terms of acidity (0.13 %) and sugars (11.13%). So this technology holds promise for the resource poor farmers in India.