Influence of Packaging Material and Ethylene Scavenger on Biochemical Composition and Enzyme Activity of Apricot Cv. Habi at Ambient Storage

Abstract

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the influence of different packaging materials and ethylene absorbent on biochemical composition, antioxidant and enzyme activity of apricot cv. Habi during ambient storage. Perforated (0.25%) polyethylene films of low, medium and high densities and wrapping paper were used along with KMnO₄ dipped sponge cubes. Biochemical characteristics (pH, ascorbic acid, phenolics and carotenoids), antioxidants and enzyme activity were determined at 2 day intervals during storage. The results demonstrated that low density polyethylene retained maximum chemical and bioactive compounds, higher antioxidant activity and lower enzyme activities during storage, while the maximum loss of quality was observed in control and paper wrapped sets followed by high and medium density packaging films. It was concluded that apricot harvested at commercial maturity stage and packed with low density polyethylene films along with ethylene scavenger (KMnO₄) can be successfully stored at ambient conditions up to two weeks.

Keywords: Apricot, biochemical composition, packaging material; ethylene absorbent, ambient storage