Abstract:
A study was conducted to study the effect of plastic films packaging at low temperature
on soluble solid contain, titratable acidity, , fruit firmness, colour measurement and
weight loss of guavas. It was carried out at Post Harvest Laboratory, Department of
Food Science and Technologies University Malaysia Terengganu Mature-green guavas
were harvested from a commercial orchard in Bidor, Perak, Malaysia wrapped in
polyvinyl chloride plastic film (PVC) or in low density polyethylene bags (LOPE) or in
polypropylene( PP)and stored at 8
°
C for 2 weeks. The characteristics evaluated were
loss of weight, firmness, peel color, titratable acidity, soluble solids. The experimental
design was a Completely Randomize Design (CRD). The wrapped fruits presented less
weight loss, less loss of firmness, they were less acid, with smaller content of soluble
solids than the control fruits in 2 weeks at 8
°
C. The LOPE delayed in up the
development of peel color, the loss of firmness, reducing soluble solid contain reducing
weight loss and reducing acidity. The LOPE being more effective than PVC and PP in
maintaining the quality of fruit. Fruits stored for 2 weeks in plastic films at 8
°
C
presented the better quality.
