Effect of modified atmosphere packaging on quality of fresh-cut jackfruit bulbs (Artocarpus heterophyllus L.)

The aim of the research is to extend the shelf life of fresh cut jackfruit bulbs through pre-treatment combined with modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and cold storage. Fresh-cut jackfruit bulbs were pre-treated with 1% CaCl2 and 0.25% ascorbic acid packed in transparent polypropylene covers with different gas compositions (2% O-2 + 3% CO2 + 95% N-2; 2% O-2 + 5% CO2 + 93% N-2; 3% O-2 + 3% CO2 + 94% N-2; 3% O-2 + 5% CO2 + 92% N-2; 4% O-2 + 3% CO2 + 93% N-2; 4% O-2 + 5% CO2 + 91% N-2) along with control(passive gas composition)and stored in cold storage (6 +/- 2 degrees C and relative humidity -85 +/- 5%). Among different gas compositions, the bulbs packed with O-2 + 10% CO2+ 82% N-2 has showed an increase in storage life up to 24 days by reduced respiration rate (3.96 mg CO2 kg(-1) h(-1)), minimum physiological loss in weight (PLW) (0.23%) with retention of higher firmness (4.05 kg cm(-2)), maintained total soluble solids (28.70%) and higher titratable acidity (0.52%) as compared to 12 days storage life in control.