Publication Details
Abstract
The objective of this study was to assess the influence of different types of packaging and storage temperature on some qualitative characteristics of two apples varieties (Golden Delicious and Mutsu) during 45-day storage time. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the best storage conditions to ensure fruit quality and reduce fruit losses after harvest.All factors, variety, packaging type, storage temperatures and interaction of them influenced significantly most of the measured characteristics. The results showed that storage time was correlated with reduction of fruit weight, total carbohydrate, total acidity, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. On the other hand, the total soluble solids percentage rose as a result of physiological and chemical changes after harvest, with the longer the storage times. The results indicated that the refrigerator storage was more efficient than room temperature storage in maintaining fruit quality by minimizing weight loss, maintenance of chemical composition, and slowing down the metabolic changes during storage. Packaging was also important as a preservative of fruit quality since nylon bags gave the best results for most of the studied traits when compared with the other packaging and the control treatment. The impact of the interaction indicated that the best conditions for maintaining apple quality was a combination of refrigerated storage and nylon bagging, whereas treatments involving room storage without packaging had the lowest scores for most traits. In most of the evaluated traits, the ability to maintain fruit quality was also different between the two varieties and was superior for Mutsu than for Golden Delicious when the fruits were stored. The study findings suggest that the application of nylon bags in refrigerated storage is an effective way of improving the quality of apples and extending their shelf life and thus help to reduce the post production losses and help to maintain fruit market value and nutritional value.