Effect of different packaging material on okra (Abelmoschus esculenius) quality at ambient temperature

Abstract

A study was carried out to determine the effect of using different packaging material on okra appearance quality (Abelmoschus esculentus), effect of okra storage time at an ambient temperature and as a direct application to the fresh market to reduce the storage losses. Okra was packed using plastic Polypropylene, plastic Polyethylene, newspaper and without packaging as a control. Effect of different packaging material can be variously seen in the weight loss which is closely related to the moisture loss, visual quality, fruit firmness and colour change. The use of Polypropylene and Polyethylene seem to extend the storage time to 5 days compare to newspaper and unpacked okra which only can stay for 2 days. There is significant different (P<0.05) in usage of plastic Polypropylene and Polyethylene as a packaging material to okra appearance quality compare to newspaper packaging and unpacked okra. Even though there is no significant different (P>0.05) between plastic Polypropylene and Polyethylene, the usage of Polyethylene on fresh produce was widely use than Polypropylene which the usage of the plastic was widely use in commercial product due to the properties and the price respectively.