Studying the incorporation of different additives to the fruit wrappers to increase shelf-life of local mangoes
Abstract
Mangoes are prone to develop postharvest spoilage during storage period. There are
numerous factors contributing to spoilage such as temperature, humidity and fungal
attack. In this research, chitin and CaCl2 had been employed as fruits additive material.
Then, polyethylene bag and biodegradable garbage bag were selected as fruit
wrapping materials. This research also has investigated the effect of hot water
treatment to the shelf life of mangoes. The influence of altering different treatments in
terms of weight loss percentage, pH value of the mango juice, Total Soluble Solid
(TSS) of mango juice and ascorbic acid content of the mango was examined at the
constant room temperature and relative humidity. Postharvest spoilage was reduced by
coating them with different coating materials and wrapped with different wrapping
materials single or in combination. Furthermore, coatings such as 2 % chitin and 2 %
CaCl2 were investigated for their capacity to preserve the quality of mangoes.
Mangoes were given Hot water Treatment (HWT) of 50 0C for 30 minutes and then
wrapped with polyethylene bag and biodegradable garbage bag see the effect on shelf
life of mangoes. Mangoes without HWT, coating and wrappers served as control. It
was observed that HWT –treated mangoes wrapped with fruit wrappers such as
polyethylene bag and biodegradable garbage bag that were incorporated with chitin
and CaCl2 increased shelf life by 2 weeks at relative humidity 64.5 % and air
condition room temperature at 25 0C. Then, the result show that for the biodegradable
garbage bag is selected because it more environmental friendly.