Effect of plastic films packaging on quality of guava (Psidium guajava L.) at low temperature

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.