Using Nanomist Humidifier to Maintain Postharvest Quality of Fig (Ficus carica L.) Fruit in High Humidity Storage Environment

Softening and postharvest diseases limit the storage period and shelf life of figs. The postharvest quality of fresh fig (Ficus carica L., cv Toyomitsu-Hime) was investigated under storage environments of two kinds of fine mists producing relative humidity as high as 95% at 7 degrees C for 8 days. Mists generated by nanomist humidifiers (nano-mists) had average particle diameters less than 100 nm while ultrasonic humidifiers (ultrasonic-mist) generated average particle diameters of 216 nm. Several quality parameters were monitored during the storage period. The results show that fig fruit stored under nanomist had a firmer fresh than those stored in ultrasonic mist. In addition, decay incidence of the fruit exposed to the nanomist was significantly reduced as compared to those stored in the ultrasonic-mists. The overall quality index of nanomist- exposed fruit was also improved. Moreover, other attributes of the postharvest quality such as color, total soluble solids and titratable acidity were better maintained by the nanomist during postharvest storage period. These findings suggest that the application of nanomist humidifier has major benefits as humidification tool for postharvest of fresh fruit and vegetables.