Effects of Modified Atmosphere Packaging to Preserve the Fresh-cut Muskmelon (Cucumis melo L.) using Commercially Available Packaging / Syarfa Haziqah Binti Johar

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science

Abstract

Fresh-cut melons are gaining in popularity but it has a short shelf life as it is highly perishable because of their climacteric nature and it involves fruit processing operations. Maintaining high quality product before it reaches the consumers is a difficult prospect, especially in developing countries where preservation technology is still lacking. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is simple, easy to operate, and highly effective in prolonging fruit quality therefore fresh-cut melons could benefit from MAP. MAP involves gas exchange between the packaging headspace and the environment via a film. Unfortunately, films specifically made for MAP are difficult to acquire and quite expensive, and using commercially available packaging as an alternative is more practical and cost-effective. Unfortunately, very limited studies have explored the effects of MAP on fresh-cut melons on low-cost packaging and few studies have tested different gas compositions using these types of films. This study investigates the effects of passive and active MAP on the quality characteristics of fresh-cut 'Arus' muskmelon for 15 days at 5°C and 80% Relative Humidity using commercially available packaging. The effectiveness of MAP on the physiology and quality attributes of fresh-cut muskmelon were evaluated using two different films of 0.21mm high polyethylene (LDPE) and 0.24 mm ziplock (ZL) bags. Fresh-cut melons were subjected under five different modified atmosphere conditions; passive (no gas flushing involved), 3% O2 + 7% CO2, 5% O2+ 7% CO2, 3% O2+ 10% CO2, and 5% O2+10% CO2. Weight loss, total soluble solids, pH, moisture content, firmness, flesh colour, and titratable acidity were tested as quality attributes of these melons. Results have shown that the ZL film was able to maintain close to the recommended gas composition for fresh-cut melons by maintaining initial gas mixture throughout the storage period while the LDPE film failed to do so. Superior results were also observed on fruit quality using ZL film after 15 days of cold storage, in terms of moisture content, weight loss, and texture as well as maintaining the initial titratable acidity value of fresh-cut melons. This strongly suggests that ZL film has better gas and water vapour barrier properties, which is suitable to be used for MAP on melon slices. The most effective treatments among the initial gas compositions were 5% O2+ 10% CO2 and 3% O2+ 10% CO2. This has shown that active MAP using low-cost packaging did well in prolonging the quality attributes on melon slices for 15 days. This study demonstrated the possibility of commercially available packaging used as a cheap alternative in maintaining the quality of fresh-cut produce using MAP.Abstract

Fresh-cut melons are gaining in popularity but it has a short shelf life as it is highly perishable because of their climacteric nature and it involves fruit processing operations. Maintaining high quality product before it reaches the consumers is a difficult prospect, especially in developing countries where preservation technology is still lacking. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is simple, easy to operate, and highly effective in prolonging fruit quality therefore fresh-cut melons could benefit from MAP. MAP involves gas exchange between the packaging headspace and the environment via a film. Unfortunately, films specifically made for MAP are difficult to acquire and quite expensive, and using commercially available packaging as an alternative is more practical and cost-effective. Unfortunately, very limited studies have explored the effects of MAP on fresh-cut melons on low-cost packaging and few studies have tested different gas compositions using these types of films. This study investigates the effects of passive and active MAP on the quality characteristics of fresh-cut 'Arus' muskmelon for 15 days at 5°C and 80% Relative Humidity using commercially available packaging. The effectiveness of MAP on the physiology and quality attributes of fresh-cut muskmelon were evaluated using two different films of 0.21mm high polyethylene (LDPE) and 0.24 mm ziplock (ZL) bags. Fresh-cut melons were subjected under five different modified atmosphere conditions; passive (no gas flushing involved), 3% O2 + 7% CO2, 5% O2+ 7% CO2, 3% O2+ 10% CO2, and 5% O2+10% CO2. Weight loss, total soluble solids, pH, moisture content, firmness, flesh colour, and titratable acidity were tested as quality attributes of these melons. Results have shown that the ZL film was able to maintain close to the recommended gas composition for fresh-cut melons by maintaining initial gas mixture throughout the storage period while the LDPE film failed to do so. Superior results were also observed on fruit quality using ZL film after 15 days of cold storage, in terms of moisture content, weight loss, and texture as well as maintaining the initial titratable acidity value of fresh-cut melons. This strongly suggests that ZL film has better gas and water vapour barrier properties, which is suitable to be used for MAP on melon slices. The most effective treatments among the initial gas compositions were 5% O2+ 10% CO2 and 3% O2+ 10% CO2. This has shown that active MAP using low-cost packaging did well in prolonging the quality attributes on melon slices for 15 days. This study demonstrated the possibility of commercially available packaging used as a cheap alternative in maintaining the quality of fresh-cut produce using MAP.

Dissertation (Master) - Universiti Teknologi Brunei

Includes bibliographical references