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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Athens, Georgia » U.S. National Poultry Research Center » Quality and Safety Assessment Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #265939
Title: Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) impacts on organic Chinese red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit on quality and active components over postharvest storage

Author
item Zhuang, Hong
item ZHAO, J - Harbin Veterinary Research Institute
item BARTH, M - University Of Illinois
item LU, W - Harbin Veterinary Research Institute
item ZHANG, L - Harbin Veterinary Research Institute

Submitted to: Annual Meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/20/2011
Publication Date: 6/11/2011
Citation: Zhuang, H., Zhao, J., Barth, M.M., Lu, W., Zhang, L. 2011. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) impacts on organic Chinese red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit on quality and active components over postharvest storage [abstract]. Annual Meeting of the Institute of Food Technologists.

Interpretive Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) impacts on market quality and actives preservation of organic Chinese red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit over postharvest storage. Fruit were harvested, cooled, and sorted for uniform maturity and quality. Fruit were weighed into rigid, vented half pint trays and placed into three experimental groups including two MAP and one control. Two types of film with varying gas transmission rates (OTR/CO2TR) were used to overwrap the MAP treatment groups and stored at 4C for 10d along with the control group. The effects on quality attributes and actives were evaluated by measuring respiration rates, physical and chemical properties at 2, 5, and 10d storage. Gas analysis showed that fruit stored in film with higher OTR produced a higher level of CO2 and rose with storage time. Moisture retention is critical for quality preservation of small fruit and the moisture content results from vacuum oven drying showed MAP method beneficial for reducing water loss in fruit over storage. Colorimeter analysis indicated that the higher OTR film retained better color. Total soluble solids (TSS) content measured by refractometer indicated the control fruit had slightly higher brix over time likely due to increased ripening compared to MAP samples. No significant difference observed for pH among treatments. Texture analysis showed MAP treatments resulted in reduction in hardness. However, the samples stored in lower OTR film showed better retention of cohesiveness and springiness characteristics. The active flavonoids components (Tilia Glycoside, Quercetin) measured by HPLC (C18 column) showed no change over 10d storage. Overall results showed MAP treatments improved retention of moisture, color, and texture and reduced ripening in organic Chinese red raspberry fruit compared to control samples over postharvest storage thus, demonstrating potential for commercial retail distribution and sale. Key words: MAP, packaging, fruit, actives, quality, nutrition, postharvest

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) impacts on market quality and actives preservation of organic Chinese red raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit over postharvest storage. Fruit were harvested, cooled, and sorted for uniform maturity and quality. Fruit were weighed into rigid, vented half pint trays and placed into three experimental groups including two MAP and one control. Two types of film with varying gas transmission rates (OTR/CO2TR) were used to overwrap the MAP treatment groups and stored at 4C for 10d along with the control group. The effects on quality attributes and actives were evaluated by measuring respiration rates, physical and chemical properties at 2, 5, and 10d storage. Gas analysis showed that fruit stored in film with higher OTR produced a higher level of CO2 and rose with storage time. Moisture retention is critical for quality preservation of small fruit and the moisture content results from vacuum oven drying showed MAP method beneficial for reducing water loss in fruit over storage. Colorimeter analysis indicated that the higher OTR film retained better color. Total soluble solids (TSS) content measured by refractometer indicated the control fruit had slightly higher brix over time likely due to increased ripening compared to MAP samples. No significant difference observed for pH among treatments. Texture analysis showed MAP treatments resulted in reduction in hardness. However, the samples stored in lower OTR film showed better retention of cohesiveness and springiness characteristics. The active flavonoids components (Tilia Glycoside, Quercetin) measured by HPLC (C18 column) showed no change over 10d storage. Overall results showed MAP treatments improved retention of moisture, color, and texture and reduced ripening in organic Chinese red raspberry fruit compared to control samples over postharvest storage thus, demonstrating potential for commercial retail distribution and sale. Key words: MAP, packaging, fruit, actives, quality, nutrition, postharvest