Effect of Different Packaging Materials on Post-Harvest Status of Mandarin (Citrus reticuleta Blanco)

Abstract

Five treatments viz plastic (20 μ) wrapping (T1), plastic (20 μ) with 5 holes wrapping (T2), plastic (20 μ) with 10 holes wrapping (T3), Newspaper wrapping (T4), Jute wrapping (T5), no packaging materials (control) (T6) with three replication were used. Physical attributes including shelf life, weight loss, color index, pathological disorder and marketability were observed in every three days. Plastic (20 μ) with 5 holes wrapping (T2) was found best. This provides suitable environment for gaseous exchange and lowers transpiration and moisture loss rate and increases shelf life of fruits. The maximum shelf life (45 days) was recorded in T2. Weight loss was maximum in T6 followed by T4 and T5. The color change was rapid in T1 followed by T3 and T6. T1 and T3 were severely affected by the pathogens causing greenish color in the samples. Marketability was higher in T2 up to 42 days from storage followed by T4 and T5.