Preservation of dried and moisten Fruits of fig CV Sabz Stahban without using chemical material in modified atmosphere packaging

The purpose of this research was to inhibit the proliferation of insects, microorganisms, and also to keep the quality of figs in packages by decreasing O2, increasing CO2, and N2. Microbiological, physico-chemical properties, and storage pests of dried and moistened Fruits of fig cv. Sabz Stahban in modified atmosphere packaging were evaluated in two different storage temperatures (25 and 40°C). Mold and yeasts, total counts of bacteria, commercial color, Lab* factors, acidity, moisture, mold mycelium, alive and dead larva, alive and dead insects were evaluated in first and second year of research for both types of figs. In the first year, the properties were evaluated after keeping samples in 25 and 40 °C for 3 and 6 months. In the second year, as 40 °C had very poor effects on the color and texture of all samples, it was eliminated. Then, mentioned properties were evaluated at time intervals of 1 day, 1, 2, and 3 months after keeping samples in 25 °C. Gas treatments were applied by a fill-make-seal set from polytechnic company in Shiraz for dried fig , in both years. Gas treatments were: 1- 70%N2 + 25% CO2 + 5% O2, 2- 75% N2 + 50% CO2 + 5% O2, 3- 20%N2 + 75% CO2 + 5% O2, 4- 80% vacuum (152 mmHg), 5- control sample: 78%N2 + 0.3% CO2 + 21% O2. We used Original Henkelman Vacuum System for moistened fig in both years. Gas treatments were: 1- 74%N2 + 25% CO2 + 1% O2, 2- 49% N2 + 50% CO2 + 1% O2, 3- 24%N2 + 75% CO2 + 1% O2, 4- 95% vacuum (38 mm Hg), 5- control sample: 78%N2 + 0.3% CO2 + 21% O2. Results showed that the effects of gas treatments on dried fig properties were different. The effects of gas treatments were insignificant on color, acidity, and moisture of dried fig, while they were definitely significant on storage pests such as larva. Decreasing oxygen was killing for larva. Control sample had the lowest dead larva. The effects of gas treatments on moistened fig properties were different. The effects were insignificant on color, moisture, total counts, mold and yeast, and acidity while the effects were significant on storage pests such as larva. The most effective treatment for larva in mostened fig was 95 % vacuum. Both modified atmosphere packaging and vacuum treatment caused significant depletion in storage pests in both dried and moistened figs. So it can be a good replacement for methyl bromide