Investigating the effect of chitosan edible coating, modified atmosphere packaging and nano packaging film on improving the quality characteristics of zucchini (Cucurbita pepo L.)

Authors

1 Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University , Hamedan, Iran

2 Dept of Biosystem Engineering, Bu-Ali Sina University

3 Department of Horticultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bu-Ali Sina University , Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

Storage of agricultural products is one of the post-harvest operations. The increase in food waste and the emphasis on fresh consumption of these products doubles the importance of storing them after harvest. Therefore, it is very important to use methods such as using modified atmosphere, edible chitosan coating and nano packaging film to increase shelf life and maintain the quality of agricultural products. In this research, the physicochemical and mechanical properties of this product, during the storage period were evaluated by factorial test in completely randomized design. Zucchini product after harvesting from the farm is coated with 0.5% chitosan solution and with two types of films (silicone nanoemulsion and normal) along with a modified atmosphere (5% oxygen + 10% carbon dioxide + 85% nitrogen ) and normal atmosphere, packed and kept at 4˚C (refrigerator temperature). The storage time for the samples was 20 days. Chemical properties (total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and phenol), physical properties (color changes and weight loss) and mechanical properties (penetration force, elasticity modulus and penetration energy) were evaluated during the storage period every four days. Modified atmosphere package + with coating + nano film reduced changes in pH, titratable acidity, weight loss and penetration force. The modified atmosphere showed a positive performance in reducing the changes of phenol. Also, the combination of modified atmosphere and nano film prevented the increase of changes in elasticity modulus and penetration energy.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Agricultural Mechanization
Volume 9, Issue 3
September 2024

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 24 August 2024
  • Revise Date: 21 October 2024
  • Accept Date: 23 October 2024

Share

How to cite

Statistics