|
Integrated
agrotechnology with preharvest ComCat®
treatment, modified atmosphere packaging and forced
ventilation evaporative cooling of tomatoes
Tilahun Seyoum Workneh*, G. Osthoff and M. S. Steyn
The
University of the Free State, Faculty of Natural and
Agricultural Science, Department of Microbial, Biochemical
and Food Biotechnology, P. O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300,
South Africa.
*Corresponding author. E-mail:
Tilahun_Seyoum@yahoo.com.
Accepted
20 January, 2009 |
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An evaporative cooler (EC) unit, which allowed an average
drop of 11.5°C in temperature and a rise of 43.93% in relative humidity
relative to environmental conditions was used to store
tomatoes. The quality of tomatoes stored in this cooler were
maintained better with more than 70% shelf life extension
compared to tomatoes stored at ambient conditions.
Preharvest ComCat® treated tomatoes contained
lower TSS, reducing sugars and total sugars at harvest, and
showed better keeping quality in terms of PWL, juice
content, TSS and sugars, compared to untreated controls. No
distinct effect of ComCat® treatment on microbial
populations was found. Disinfecting with chlorinated water
controlled total aerobic bacteria, moulds and yeasts during
storage in the EC. MAP and EC temperatures helped to control
weight loss, improve juice content, total aerobic bacteria,
moulds and yeasts and resulted in lo-wer pH of stored
tomatoes. Microperforated MAP film prevented condensation
inside packages and resulted in better marketability when
combined with EC. The benefits from the combined effect of
pre- and postharvest treatment on tomatoes include:
reduction of PWL and loss of fruit juice, better keeping
quality in terms of TSS, pH, non-reducing sugar content,
total sugar content, microbiological quality, and
marketability.
Key
words:
ComCat®, modified atmosphere packaging,
evaporative cooling, temperature, relative humidity, tomato. |
