Effect of Modified Atmospheric Packaging on Postharvest Storage Life of Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum L.) Stored Under Different Conditions

Cilantro is a leafy vegetable commonly used for seasoning purpose that is highly perishable and has high postharvest loss losing 1.03 ml water per gram per day. It is therefore an alternative method of storage is needed to extend storage life of Cilantro. So, the research was carried out to study the effect of Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) on postharvest storage life of Cilantro at different storage conditions. The experiment was laid under Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with ten treatments viz. open in tray along with 0, 5, 10 and 15 perforations (having pore size 5 mm) which are stored both in lab and Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC) with three replications of each treatment during March/April (2018) at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS) Lamjung Campus. Cilantro bought from market was packed in 250 gauge polyethylene bags, each bag was filled with 200 g Cilantro. Physiological loss in weight (PLW), Chlorophyll content, Colour change and Decay are the parameters that were evaluated. Results revealed that with the increase in number of perforation PLW was increased. Cilantro packed in MAP without perforation and stored in ZECC had minimum PLW (0.75%), no decay development as well as minimum loss of chlorophyll (11.18%) in comparison with Cilantro stored in lab at two days after storage. Decay percentage was however higher, greater than 50% at 6 days after storage in ZECC. Polyethylene bags without perforation were observed to be best packaging materials for extending storage life of Cilantro up to 4 days in ZECC followed by 2 days in lab.