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Evaluation of the Effect of Different Modified Atmosphere Packaging Box Liners on the Quality and Shelf Life of ‘Friar’ Plums

¹ Departmento de Pomología, Estación Experimental de Aula Dei (CSIC) Apdo. 202, 50080, Zaragoza, Spain
² Department of Plant Sciences, University of California at Davis, Kearney Agricultural Center, 9240 South Riverbend Avenue, Parlier, CA 93648
³ Farm Advisor, Cooperative Extension Tulare County, 4437-B S. Laspina St., Tulare, CA 93274

Additional Index Words. MAP • storage • internal breakdown • gel breakdown • firmness • translucency • Prunus salicina

The influence of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on quality attributes and shelf life performance of ‘Friar’ plums (Prunus salicina) was studied. Plums were stored at 0 °C and 85% relative humidity for a 60-day period in five different box liners (LifeSpan L316, FF-602, FF-504, 2.0% vented area perforated, and Hefty liner) and untreated (control). Flesh firmness, soluble solids concentration, titratable acidity, and pH were unaffected by the box liners. Fruit skin color changes were repressed on plums packed in box liners that modified gas levels and weight loss was reduced by the use of any of the box liners. Plums packed without box liners (bulk-packed) had 6% weight loss. High carbon dioxide (CO₂) and low oxygen (O₂) levels were measured in boxes with MAP box liners (LifeSpan L316, FF-602, and FF-504). Percentage of healthy fruit was unaffected by any of the treatments during the ripening period (shelf life) after 45 days of cold storage. However, after 60 days of cold storage, fruit from the MAP box liners with higher CO₂ and lower O₂ levels had a higher incidence of chilling injury (CI) symptoms, evident as flesh translucency, gel breakdown, and "off flavor" than fruit from the other treatments. Overall, results indicate that the use of MAP box liners is recommended to improve market life of ‘Friar’ plums up to 45 days cold storage. However, the use of box liners without gas control capability may lead to CI symptoms in fruit cold-stored for longer periods.