M.P. Sanas, P.M. Haldankar and R.S. Patil
Abstract
An investigation was undertaken to find out the effect of packaging materials on physico chemical characters and shelf life of karonda under different storage conditions (Carissa conjesta Lin.) at Department of Horticulture, Dr. Balasaheb Sawant Konkan Krishi Vidyapeeth, Dapoli, Dist. Ratnagiri (MH) India, 415712 during 2010-2012. The experiment was conducted in Factorial Complete Randomized Block Design (FCRD) with two main treatments of storage conditions viz ambient storage (T1) and cold storage (T2) and seven sub treatments comprises of packaging materials viz P1 Punnet box; P2 Al foil box; P3 Thermocol bowl; P4 CFB box; P5 Plastic bag (300g); P6 Bamboo basket and P7 - control,. The treatments were replicated thrice with a unit of 200g of fruits per treatment per replication. The experimental findings revealed that, all the fruits were found to have good acceptability at the end of respective shelf life with various packaging materials and both the storage conditions under study. However the total soluble solids and sugars were found to be deceased at the faster rate under cold storage, while ascorbic acids and acidity were found to be decreased at faster rate at ambient storage. The treatment P1T2 (Fruits packed in punnet box and stored under cold storage) recorded the lowest values for physical loss in weight (1.44, 3.35, 5.70, 9.81%) and shriveling (3.00, 5.50, 9.00, 11.50%) of karonda fruits. While the treatment P7T1 (fruits without packaging and stored under ambient temperature) recorded the highest values for TSS (17.35, 17.15, 16.69, 16.31ºbrix), total sugars (11.52, 11.13, 10.33, 9.76%) and reducing sugars (8.05, 7.73, 7.16. 6.47%) respectively after 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th day of storage. The shelf life of karonda fruits was extended up to 8.88 days and 13 days when stored at ambient and cold storage conditions respectively and packed in punnet box.