Effect of different packaging films on storage life and quality of peach fruits under cold storage conditions

Abstract

Peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) fruits cv. Shan-i-Punjab were harvested at physiologically mature, i.e. colour break stage and packed in small CFB trays, followed by over-wrapping in commercially available packaging films, viz. LDPE, HDPE, shrink and cling films. The film-packed fruits were then stored under cold storage conditions (0-1°C and 90-95% RH) and analysed for quality parameters at weekly intervals. Shrink film proved to be the best among the films in maintaining superior quality up to 28 days of storage as indicated by higher fruit firmness (7.55 lb force), total soluble solids (12.16%), total sugars (9.12%), titratable acidity (0.76%), and lower weight loss (0.93%). The control fruits maintained marketable quality up to 14 days.