Effect of modified atmospheric packaging on chilling injury and shelf-life of custard apple fruits

Abstract: Laboratory experiment was conducted to study the effect of modified atmospheric packaging on chilling injury and shelf-life of custard apple fruits at the division of Postharvest Technology, Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Hessaraghatta, Bengaluru, during September-October, 2009. The experiment was conducted in factorial completely randomized design. Three different kinds of flexible films viz. low density polyethylene (LDPE), Cryovac Opti 300 and Cryovac PD-961 of 30 x 25 cm size were used for packaging of fruits as main treatment. Eight fruits were packed in each film bag and these packs were further master packed in ventilated CFB boxes. The boxes were then stored in "Walk-in" cold rooms maintained at 8, 12 and 15 ^oC (85-90 % RH), respectively. The observations were recorded at weekly intervals. Results of the study revealed that MAP of custard apple fruits with LDPE or Cryovac PD-961 film could alleviate the chilling injury at 8 ?C to considerable extent, besides extending the storage life. The non-packed control fruits could be stored up to three weeks at 8 ^oC, but these fruits lacked desirable appearance due to development of chilling injury. At 12 ^oC, the fruits could be kept in unripe condition up to two weeks, when the fruits were packed either in LDPE or Cryovac PD-961 film, when compared to four days in non-packed fruits at room temperature. These fruits ripened normally without chilling injury (CI) in three days when they were shifted to RT after unpacking. It can be concluded that the storage life of custard apple fruits could be extended at 12 ^oC without any CI by packing the fruits in LDPE or Cryovac PD-961 film.