Extension of shelf life of pear fruits using different packaging materials

An experiment was conducted on pear fruit (cv. 'Lagoon') to extend the shelf life by using different packaging materials. Fruits were packed in low density polyethylene (LDPE, 0.025 mm), polypropylene (PP, 0.025 mm), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE, 0.0125 mm) and high density polyethylene (HDPE, 0.025 mm) with or without perforation and stored at ambient condition (25 +/- 2 A degrees C and 65.0 A +/- 5% RH). Periodical observations were recorded on CO2 & O-2 concentration (%), physiological loss in weight (PLW, %), decay loss (%), firmness (kgf), colour value (colour difference and colour index), total soluble solid (TSS, A degrees Brix), acidity (mg of malic acid/g), and ascorbic acid loss (%) at 3 days interval. Reduced rate of PLW and decay losses was recorded in pear fruits packed in PP non-perforated (8.04%) and PP perforated (12.5%), respectively as compared to other treatments. The maximum firmness (5.18 kgf) and minimum ascorbic acid loss (49.97%) were also recorded in PP non-perforated up to 12 and 15 days of storage, respectively. It could be inferred that the, PP non-perforated (0.025 mm) was the most suitable packaging materials for extending the shelf life of pear fruits up to 15 days at ambient condition.