Evaluation of novel bitter cassava film for equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging of cherry tomatoes
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Date
2017
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Food Packaging and Shelf Life Journal
Abstract
Equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) technology offers the possibility to maintain produce postharvest quality and extend its shelf-life. However, EMAP stability depends on well-tuned packaging design
parameters to match environmental conditions. This study defined the design requirements of a biobased film EMAP that can preserve the quality and prolong the shelf-life of fresh cherry tomatoes under recommended and simulated abuse supply chain conditions. Optimum EMAP was evaluated based on headspace gas composition at 10–20 °C, 75–95% RH and verified by determining quality changes of packed cherry tomatoes in using a continuous or
micro-perforated (0.27 μm) bio-based intact bitter cassava (IBC) film. This was compared with a non-bio-based polymer film (oriented polypropylene, OPP). The IBC film attained equilibrium O2 (2–3%) after 180 h at 10 °C, with 0 and 1 perforation, for 75 and 95% RH while OPP film maintained a downward O2 fall. Continuous and micro-perforated IBC film did not show any major differences in equilibrium headspace O2, thus perforation can be neglected. Based on desirability optimisation results, biobased IBC film demonstrated a better optimized EMAP system in attaining recommended gas and stretching cherry tomato shelf-life as compared to non-biobased (OPP) film. The application of bio-based IBC film offers new possibilities in packaging fresh produce under an equilibrium modified atmosphere without compromising its quality.
Description
This is a research article on Equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging (EMAP) technology that offers the possibility to maintain produce postharvest quality and extend its shelf-life.
Keywords
Biobased material, Gas composition
Citation
Tumwesigye Kashub Steven. et al. Evaluation of novel bitter cassava film for equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging of cherry tomatoes. Food Packaging and Shelf Life 13 (2017) 1–14