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Effect of packaging materials and storage environment on postharvest quality of papaya fruit

Journal of Food Science and Technology volume 51, pages 1041–1055 (2014)Cite this article

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to assess the effects of packaging materials and storage environments on shelf life of papaya fruit (Carica papaya L.). A factorial combination of five packaging materials and two storage environments using randomized complete block design with three replications were used. The papaya fruits were evaluated for weight loss, percentage marketability, firmness, total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid, reducing sugar and total sugar content. The packaged and cooled fruits remained firmer than unpackaged and evaporatively cooled fruits. Higher chemical compositions were recorded in the control fruits stored under ambient conditions during the earlier times of storage. Packaging and cooling maintained the chemical quality of papaya fruits better than the control sample fruits towards the end of storage periods. The evaporatively cooled storage combined with packaging improved the shelf life of papaya fruits by more than two fold. The polyethylene bag packaging combined with evaporatively cooled storage maintained the superior quality of papaya fruit for a period of 21 days. This integrated agro-technology is recommended for postharvest loss reduction biotechnology in hot regions.

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Affiliations

  1. School of Bioresources Engineering and Environmental Hydrology, Faculty of Engineering, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Private Bag X0l, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, 3209, South Africa

    Tilahun Seyoum Workneh

  2. College of Agriculture, Harmaya University, P O Box 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia

    Mulualem Azene & Kebede Woldetsadik

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  1. Mulualem Azene
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  2. Tilahun Seyoum Workneh
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  3. Kebede Woldetsadik
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Correspondence to Tilahun Seyoum Workneh.

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Azene, M., Workneh, T.S. & Woldetsadik, K. Effect of packaging materials and storage environment on postharvest quality of papaya fruit. J Food Sci Technol 51, 1041–1055 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0607-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0607-6

Keyword

  • Papaya
  • Packaging
  • Evaporative cooling
  • Quality
  • Storage