Physico-chemical Changes in Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) Fruits as Influenced by Cultivation Systems and Modified Atmosphere Packaging

Abstract

Tomatoes are highly perishable and postharvest losses vary greatly among production areas and seasons of production. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of open or protected cultivation system and postharvest modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the physical and chemical changes of tomatoes during ambient storage with temperatures ranging from 20 ⁰C to 35 ⁰C and relative humidity (RH) of 80% to 90%.

The cultivation system had no significant effect on the physico-chemical constituents. In contrast, MAP storage significantly influenced some of the storage parameters evaluated. Use of paper bags and 0.02mmthick low density polyethylene bags with diffusion holes slightly delayed ripening, effectively reduced weight loss, minimized decay incidence and maintained better visual quality throughout the 12-day storage period relative to fruits stored in the open.