Influence of modified atmosphere packaging on post-harvest physiology, overall quality, and bioactive compounds during cold storage and shelf-life of 'Tondo Nero' figs (Ficus carica L.)

The impact of four polymers [(a) oriented polypropylene film (OPP); b) polyolefin heat-shrinkable film (BOLPH), c) micro-perforated OPP film (MICRO); and d) macro-perforated OPP film (MACRO)] was tested on 'Tondo Nero' figs, cold stored at 1 degrees C for 7 or 14 d (CS) plus 3 d at 20 degrees C in simulate marketing conditions (SMC). In-package ethylene increased as film permeability decreased, peaking in OPP-packages. CO2 partial pressure of OPP-packages, peaking at 15 kPa in CS conditions and at about 30 kPa at the end of SMC, and O2 partial pressure tending to 0 kPa, negatively affected the overall acceptability. In-package CO2, never exceeding 8 kPa, and O2, never dropping 12 kPa, of MICRO and MACRO films did not affect fructose and glucose concentration, but reduced the loss of phenolic compounds, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity of the peel as well as of the pulp, showing a better performance compared to the other films.