Prolonged storage of `Hass' avocado fruit using modified atmosphere packaging
Shimon Meir, Dario Naiman, Miriam Akerman, Julian Y. Hyman, Giora Zauberman and Yoram Fuchs
Postharvest Biology and Technology Vol: 12 Issue: 1 Pages: 51-60.
1997
บทคัดย่อ
An attempt was made to characterize prolonged modified atmosphere (MA)
storage of `Hass' avocados (Persea americana Mill.) for commercial application
in terms of optimal thickness of polyethylene (PE) bags, optimal storage
temperature, appropriate ratio between the amount of fruit and the size
(surface area) of the bags, and maximal storage period without chilling injury
(CI). The best result was obtained with 30 
m
PE bags (40×70 cm) containing 3.2 kg fruit and stored at 5°C.
The oxygen level in these bags was reduced to approximately 4%, the accumulated
carbon dioxide reached values of around 5% at storage temperatures of either 5
or 7°C,
while the lowest ethylene concentration was detected at 5°C.
Development of CI during storage, manifested as pulp discolouration, was not
significantly affected by the different thickness of PE bags tested (30¯50
m).
Fruit stored at 5°C remained firmer than those stored at 7°C,
and the fruit keeping quality in completely sealed bags providing MA was
superior to that in perforated bags or unwrapped controls. Storage in sealed PE
bags also reduced weight loss and slowed down the development of black
pigmentation in the peel; nevertheless, the fruit peel reached its characteristic
dark colour at full softening. This work demonstrates for the first time the
potential for long-term storage (up to 9 weeks) of `Hass' avocado fruit under
MA in a commercial size package.