Shelf-life extension of pear with coatings under ambient and super market conditions

Abstract

Pear fruits of cv. Punjab Beauty were harvested at firm mature stage. The fruits were coated with different food grade Nipro Fresh SS-40T™ and SS-50™ coatings. After coating, the fruits were packed in corrugated fibre board cartons and stored under two different temperature conditions, i.e. under super-market conditions (20-22°C and 80-85% RH), and under ambient conditions (30-32°C and 70-80% RH). The fruits were evaluated for various quality attributes periodically. The data revealed that both the coatings proved effective in minimizing weight and firmness loss and maintained quality attributes as evident from higher total soluble solids (TSS), minimum microbial decay and optimum organoleptic quality. These coatings helped in delaying the ripening process of fruits and the one coated with Nipro Fresh SS-40™ and SS-50™ can be stored for 12 days under ambient conditions and 15 days under super market conditions. On the other hand, the control fruits maintained their storage life for 6 and 9 days under both the conditions, respectively.