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Effect of pretreatments and modified atmosphere packaging on the shelf life and quality of fresh- cut green bell pepper

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Abstract

Present study was aimed at understanding the effect of pretreatments and modified atmosphere packaging on the quality of fresh-cut green bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) during low temperature storage. Dip treatment of freshly cut green bell pepper pieces in 2 % calcium propionate followed by surface drying and subsequent packing in cryovac PD961 film which maintained an equilibrium modified atmosphere of 13–14 % O2 and 7 % CO2 helped to extend the marketability till 9 days storage at 8 °C. The microbiological quality was at the best level up to 6 days of storage, as evidenced by a surge in aerobic plate count, pectinolysers and pseudomonads on subsequent days. Head space volatile analysis of the produce at regular intervals showed a reduction in monoterpenoids and simultaneous increase of aldehydes and ketones, sesquiterpenoids, esters, furans and pyrazines during storage. Principal component analysis of the head space volatiles identified, cis - ocimene, 1,3,8-paramenthatriene, trans 3- caren 2-ol, bergamotene, 2-hexenal, ethyl 1- decanol, (E)-3- hexenol and heptane thiol as the markers of freshness in minimally processed green bell pepper.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. A. S. Sidhu, Director, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bangalore for supporting the present research work. Also the technical assistance from Ms. Bharathamma H and Mr. Ananda Murthy are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pot Harvest Technology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake (PO), Bangalore, 560089, India

    K. Ranjitha & D. V. Sudhakar Rao

  2. Division of Plant Physiology and Biochemistry, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessaraghatta Lake (PO), Bangalore, India

    K. S. Shivashankara & Tapas Kumar Roy

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  1. K. Ranjitha
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  2. D. V. Sudhakar Rao
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  3. K. S. Shivashankara
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  4. Tapas Kumar Roy
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Correspondence to K. Ranjitha.

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Ranjitha, K., Sudhakar Rao, D.V., Shivashankara, K.S. et al. Effect of pretreatments and modified atmosphere packaging on the shelf life and quality of fresh- cut green bell pepper. J Food Sci Technol 52, 7872–7882 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-015-1928-7

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