EFFECT OF DIFFERENT PACKAGINGS ON QUALITY OF PEACHES DURING STORAGE

Physiochemical and enzymatic changes in the peach fruits packed in corrugated cardboard boxes of 2 kg and 4 Kg and traditional wooden boxes of 4 Kg and 8 Kg were studied during cold storage (0-2°C with 85-90 per cent R.H.). The CFB boxes was proved very effective in reducing spoilage, physiological loss in weight (PLW) and maintaining acidity, total phenols content and pectin methyl estrase (PME) activity during storage. There was an increase (p?0.05) in spoilage, PLW, TSS, reducing sugars and PME activity and decrease (p?0.05) in acidity and total phenols content during storage. The fruits packed in 2 kg CFB boxes were best in terms of quality parameters followed by 4 kg CFB boxes. Results revealed that peach fruits packed in 2 kg CFB boxes can be stored for three weeks in cold storage (0-2°C, 85-90% RH) with acceptable edible quality of fruits and can be substituted for wooden boxes due to its demonstrated benefits.