Studies on the storage of tropical fruits in polythene bags.
Stead D. E., Chithambo G. S. G.
Author Affiliation: Chancellor College, P.O. Box 280, Zomba, Malawi.
Luso: Journal of Science and Technology 1 : 3-9
Abstract : Under-ripe fruits of banana, tomato, pawpaw, lemon, orange, tangerine, lime, peach, guava, mango and avocado were stored individually either in open trays (controls) or in polyethylene bags containing vermiculite, sand or sawdust soaked in KMnO4 (as an ethylene oxidant). Before storage, all fruits were washed, dried, dipped in 0.5% Benlate (benomyl) for 2 min and dried again. They were stored in darkness at 20-30 deg C and assessed daily for ripeness. Only tomato, peach and guava did not show a delay in ripening when held with the ethylene oxidant; only vermiculite was effective as a carrier. With banana, the delay was accompanied by an unpleasant change in flavour and a reduction in mechanical strength. Bananas were also stored in bulk, 10 fruits to a plastic pail covered by polyethylene film. Ripening was delayed slightly in the presence of KMnO4 if vermiculite, but not sand, was used as a carried in the pail. In all trials, fruit treatment with Benlate did not completely inhibit fungal growth [unspecified]. The number of days to ripening is shown for each fruit species.