AbstractThe objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of various packaging materials in extending the shelf life and maintaining the quality of sapota (Manilkara achras) fruits during ambient storage. Sapota is a climacteric fruit with high perishability, and improving its post-harvest shelf life can significantly reduce economic losses and ensure better availability for consumers. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with seven treatments replicated thrice. The treatments included sapota fruits packed in different materials: brown paper bag, butter paper, LDPE (low-density polyethylene) bag with 1% ventilation, LDPE bag without ventilation, perforated polybag, newspaper wrapping, and an unpacked control group.
The fruits were stored at ambient room temperature, and various parameters such as physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage percentage, marketability, firmness, and total soluble solids (TSS) were recorded at regular intervals. The results indicated that packaging significantly influenced the post-harvest quality of sapota fruits. Among all treatments, LDPE bags with 1% ventilation exhibited the best results in reducing physiological loss in weight and spoilage, thereby enhancing the shelf life and maintaining better firmness and marketability of the fruits. On the contrary, the unpacked fruits showed the highest spoilage and weight loss, deteriorating quickly during the storage period.
