EFFECT OF PACKAGING ON STORAGE BEHAVIOUR OF SAPOTA (ACHRAS ZAPOTA L.) FRUITS (CV. CRICKET BALL)

Abstract

Sapota (commonly known as sapodilla or chiku) is one of the important and delicious fruit in India and favored due to its sweet taste and flavor. In spite of the considerable production of this fruit tremendous post harvest loss (about 32%) is one of the major drawbacks for the production promotion of sapota which is mainly due to the perishable nature of the fruit. High respiration is associated with high ethylene production are the main causes of high perishability of this fruit. In the present experiment attempt has been taken to enhance the shelf life of sapota by packaging of fruits minimally affecting the quality during storage. The freshly harvested sapota fruits were washed with water, dried and packed in polythene packet of 100 guage (perforated and non perforated), news print packet (perforated and non perforated) and KMnO4 impregnated blotting paper. Similar observations were taken in this experiment. Best result was obtained in news print packet without perforation with regard to lowest PLW (17.1%), highest fruit hardness (1.98 kg), maximum consumable life (more than 12 days). A minimum shrinkage was noted in the fruits of same packet. Non perforated polythene packets resulted worst in all respect, though the PLW was lowest.