Influence of different packaging materials and storage conditions on the physiological attributes of cherry tomatoes
2025
Dladla, S. | Workneh, T.
This study investigated the effects of postharvest packaging and storage conditions on the quality attributes and shelf-life of cherry tomatoes over a 28-day period. Tomatoes were stored under ambient (24 ? 2?C, 70 ? 2% RH) and cold (10 ? 2?C, 80 ? 5% RH) conditions using various packaging types, including Zibo Punnet PET + Flow wrap, the Old Polypropylene (PP) bag, the Zibo Punnet PET + Zibo PET Lid, the Glued Paper Tray + Flow wrap, the Pulped Paper Tray + Zibo PET Lid and Open storage. Key quality parameters such as total soluble solids (TSS), pH, titratable acidity (TA), total sugars, total phenolic content (TPC), and microbial load were monitored. Results showed that packaging and cold storage significantly slowed quality degradation and ripening compared to open storage and ambient storage. Among the packaging treatments, the Glued Paper Tray + Flow wrap and Pulped Paper Tray + Zibo PET Lid under cold storage was most effective in retaining quality, with better preservation of sugars and phenolic compounds. Unpackaged tomatoes and those in high-permeability plastics deteriorated fastest, especially under ambient conditions. These findings demonstrate that integrating cold storage with appropriate low-permeability packaging can substantially extend the postharvest life and marketability of cherry tomatoes.
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