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Opuntia ficus-indica L. Fruits Cold Storage Using Different Packaging Materials

Author

Listed:
  • Sofia Trindade

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Maria Inês Rouxinol

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Instituto de Investigação e Formação Avançada, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

  • Ana Cristina Agulheiro-Santos

    (MED-Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE—Global Change and Sustainability Institute, Departamento de Fitotecnia, Escola de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade de Évora, Pólo da Mitra, Ap. 94, 7006-554 Évora, Portugal)

Abstract

The prickly pear is a non-climacteric fruit and highly perishable. Therefore, it is crucial to find methods to extend its shelf life. The objective of this study was to evaluate the storage behavior of prickly pears under modified atmosphere conditions (2 °C, 90% RH) using different packaging materials (a cardboard box commercially used by the company, a rigid PET (polyethylene terephthalate) box, and a biodegradable plastic flexible bag). The fruits were produced in the Alentejo region and belong to a regional variety usually referred to as the “orange” variety. According to this study, the “orange” variety fruits could be stored at the specified temperature for 30 days. Among the storage methods tested, the biodegradable plastic bag was the most effective in maintaining the fruit’s quality throughout the entire period. The biodegradable package exhibited a weight loss lower than 5% for 30 days of storage, while the cardboard box showed great weight loss (>6%) and more fruit contamination by fungi. Fruit firmness also decreased during storage, going from 10.1 N to 4.35 N, with bigger losses happening in the PET box. Throughout the study, the fruit acidity remained stable with values of 0.03% and 0.02%.

Suggested Citation

  • Sofia Trindade & Maria Inês Rouxinol & Ana Cristina Agulheiro-Santos, 2023. "Opuntia ficus-indica L. Fruits Cold Storage Using Different Packaging Materials," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-15, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:14:p:11334-:d:1198805
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Lucía Andreu-Coll & María Emma García-Pastor & Daniel Valero & Asunción Amorós & María Soledad Almansa & Pilar Legua & Francisca Hernández, 2021. "Influence of Storage on Physiological Properties, Chemical Composition, and Bioactive Compounds on Cactus Pear Fruit ( Opuntia ficus-indica (L.) Mill.)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, January.
    2. Goretti L. Díaz-Delgado & Elena M. Rodríguez-Rodríguez & Eva Dorta & M. Gloria Lobo, 2022. "Effects of Peeling, Film Packaging, and Cold Storage on the Quality of Minimally Processed Prickly Pears ( Opuntia ficus-indica L. Mill.)," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-18, February.
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