Effect of active-modified atmosphere packaging on the respiration rate and quality of pomegranate arils (cv. Wonderful)

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of active- and passive-modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on respiration rate (RR) and quality attributes of minimally processed pomegranate arils (cv. Wonderful) stored at 5 °C for 12 d. In experiment 1, pomegranate arils were packaged in low barrier bi-axially oriented polyester (BOP) film under active-MA (5 kPa O 2  + 10 kPa CO 2 , 30 kPa O 2  + 40 kPa CO 2 ), passive-MA and in clamshell trays. In experiment 2, a high barrier Polylid ® film was used with arils packaged under three active-MAs (5 kPa O 2  + 10 kPa CO 2  + 85 kPa N 2 ; 30 kPa O 2  + 10 kPa O 2  + 60 kPa N 2 ; 100 kPa N 2 ) and passive-MA. Arils packed in clamshell trays had lowest RR (RCO 2 ) compared to the other MA treatments in experiment 1, ranging from 41.1 nmol kg −1  s −1 on day 3 to 238.8 nmol kg −1  s −1 on day 12. Respiration rate of arils packaged in the high barrier polylid film was significantly affected by MA treatments. At the end of 12 d storage, total anthocyanin content (TAC) in arils was highest for clamshell packages (0.31 ± 0.01 g L −1 ) and lowest in passive-MAP (0.27 ± 0.02 g L −1 ). Packaging arils in high O 2 atmosphere and 100 kPa N 2 significantly lower aerobic mesophilic bacteria counts throughout the storage duration. Based on sensory scores obtained and microbial load, the shelf life for arils packaged in clamshell trays, passive-MA, and high O 2 level MA was 6, 9 and 12 d, respectively.

[1]  M. Gil,et al.  Minimally Processed Pomegranate Seeds , 1996 .

[2]  O. J. Caleb,et al.  Effects of different maturity stages and growing locations on changes in chemical, biochemical and aroma volatile composition of 'Wonderful' pomegranate juice. , 2016, Journal of the science of food and agriculture.

[3]  Respiration rate of pomegranate arils as affected by O2 and CO2, and design of modified atmosphere packaging. , 2010 .

[4]  Francisco Artés,et al.  Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Pomegranate , 2000 .

[5]  A. Kader,et al.  Effects of superatmospheric oxygen levels on postharvest physiology and quality of fresh fruits and vegetables , 2000 .

[6]  E. Sepúlveda,et al.  Minimal processing of pomegranate var. wonderful. , 2000 .

[7]  O. A. Fawole,et al.  Effects of postharvest storage conditions on phytochemical and radical-scavenging activity of pomegranate fruit (cv. Wonderful) , 2014 .

[8]  Kazuhiko Itoh,et al.  Effect of nitrogen gas packaging on the quality and microbial growth of fresh-cut vegetables under low temperatures. , 2002, Journal of food protection.

[9]  D. Valero,et al.  Aloe vera gel coating maintains quality and safety of ready-to-eat pomegranate arils , 2013 .

[10]  A. Yousef,et al.  Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Maintaining Quality and Shelf Life Extension of Persimmon Fruits , 2011 .

[11]  M. Geyer,et al.  Postharvest treatments of fresh produce , 2014, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences.

[12]  Sandhya..  Modified atmosphere packaging of fresh produce: Current status and future needs , 2010 .

[13]  Adel A. Kader,et al.  Post Harvest Technology of Horticultural Crops , 1991 .

[14]  Surender Singh,et al.  Influence of packaging material on quality characteristics of minimally processed Mridula pomegranate (Punica granatum) arils during cold storage , 2013 .

[15]  A. Allende,et al.  Shelf life and overall quality of minimally processed pomegranate arils modified atmosphere packaged and treated with UV-C , 2005 .

[16]  J. R. Gorny.  A SUMMARY OF CA AND MA REQUIREMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FRESH-CUT (MINIMALLY PROCESSED) FRUITS AND VEGETABLES , 2003 .

[17]  L. Korsten,et al.  Postharvest decay control and quality retention in litchi (cv. McLean's Red) by combined application of modified atmosphere packaging and antimicrobial agents , 2008 .

[18]  Z. Ayhan,et al.  Overall quality and shelf life of minimally processed and modified atmosphere packaged 'ready-to-eat' pomegranate arils. , 2009, Journal of food science.

[19]  D. Zagory,et al.  Modified and Controlled Atmosphere Packaging Technology and Applications , 2009 .

[20]  Christopher B. Watkins,et al.  Responses of Horticultural Commodities to High Carbon Dioxide as Related to Modified Atmosphere Packaging , 2000 .

[21]  A. Kader,et al.  Modified Atmosphere Packaging—Toward 2000 and Beyond , 2000 .

[22]  Pramod V. Mahajan,et al.  Applications of Plastic Films for Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Fruits and Vegetables: A Review , 2009 .

[23]  S. V Irtwange,et al.  Application of Modified Atmosphere Packaging and Related Technology in Postharvest Handling of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables , 2006 .

[24]  A. Moscatelli.  Ready to eat , 2012 .

[25]  A. E. Watada,et al.  Characteristics of fresh-cut honeydew (Cucumis xmelo L.) available to processors in winter and summer and its quality maintenance by modified atmosphere packaging , 2003 .

[26]  Yonghua Zheng,et al.  Effect of high oxygen atmospheres on fruit decay and quality in Chinese bayberries, strawberries and blueberries , 2008 .

[27]  K. Theron,et al.  Chemical and Phytochemical Properties and Antioxidant Activities of Three Pomegranate Cultivars Grown in South Africa , 2012, Food and Bioprocess Technology.

[28]  P. Mahajan,et al.  Modelling the respiration rates of pomegranate fruit and arils , 2012 .

[29]  C. Wang,et al.  Modified atmosphere packaging of fruits and vegetables. , 1989, Critical reviews in food science and nutrition.

[30]  Younes Mostofi,et al.  Hot water, UV-C and superatmospheric oxygen packaging as hurdle techniques for maintaining overall quality of fresh-cut pomegranate arils. , 2013, Journal of the science of food and agriculture.

[31]  P. Mahajan,et al.  Evaluation of parameters affecting modified atmosphere packaging engineering design for pomegranate arils , 2013 .

[32]  S. D’aquino,et al.  CHEMICAL PROPERTIES CHANGES IN POMEGRANATE SEEDS PACKAGED IN POLYPROPYLENE TRAYS , 2009 .

[33]  Frank Devlieghere,et al.  Effect of atmospheres combining high oxygen and carbon dioxide levels on microbial spoilage and sensory quality of fresh-cut pineapple , 2013 .

[34]  José M. Barat,et al.  Extending and Measuring the Quality of Fresh-cut Fruit and Vegetables: a Review , 2007 .

[35]  R. Beaudry,et al.  Proposal for a rationalized system of units for postharvest research in gas exchange , 1995 .

[36]  Nithiya Rattanapanone,et al.  Quality and Microbial Changes of Fresh-cut Mango Cubes Held in Controlled Atmosphere , 2001 .

[37]  S. Abbasi,et al.  Anthocyanins characterization of 15 Iranian pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) varieties and their variation after cold storage and pasteurization , 2008 .

[38]  Umezuruike Linus Opara,et al.  Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Pomegranate Fruit and Arils: A Review , 2011, Food and Bioprocess Technology.

[39]  Y. Vinokur,et al.  MODEL-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT OF MICROPERFORATED ACTIVE MODIFIED-ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING FOR FRESH-CUT PRODUCE , 2007 .

[40]  Frank Devlieghere,et al.  Temperature dependence of shelf-life as affected by microbial proliferation and sensory quality of equilibrium modified atmosphere packaged fresh produce , 2002 .

[41]  Susana C. Fonseca,et al.  Modelling respiration rate of fresh fruits and vegetables for modified atmosphere packages: a review , 2002 .

[42]  F Devlieghere,et al.  Effect of high oxygen modified atmosphere packaging on microbial growth and sensorial qualities of fresh-cut produce. , 2001, International journal of food microbiology.