Enhancing the shelf life of fresh-cut bitter gourd using modified atmospheric packaging

Abstract

The study of modified atmospheric packaging (MAP) of fresh-cut bitter gourd was taken to extend the shelf life. Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) films with a thickness of 100 micron (µ) were selected due to their less permeability to O2. The fresh-cut bitter gourd packaged under two different atmosphere (active – 3% O2 and 5% CO2 and passive – atmospheric air) and stored at 8±2°C. The results showed that active MAP in LDPE had a minimum reduction in the physiological loss in weight (4.2%), chlorophyll content (19.26%), ascorbic acid (15%) and minimum increase of color value ‘a’ (44%), titratable acidity (66%), bacteria (50%), fungi (42.4%) after 15 days of storage. The sensory evaluation of maximum overall acceptability 8.2 was recorded in active MAP in LDPE.   Key words: Modified atmospheric packaging, bitter gourd, active modified atmospheric packaging (MAP), passive modified atmospheric packaging (MAP), fresh-cut.