Quality Maintenance and Storability Extension of Cornelian Cherry Fruit by Modified Atmosphere Packaging

In this research، the effects of packaging with two types of polymeric films (Low density polyethylene and polypropylene) and three gas compositions (Air، 20% CO₂ + 60% O₂ and 20% CO₂ + 5% O₂) on quantitative and qualitative attributes and storage life of cornelian cherry fruits were evaluated. Also some fruits in containers without cap were considered as control. After treatment، the fruits were stored at 1°C and 90-95% Relative Humidity for 35 days. Samples were taken initially and at 7-day intervals during storage، and to simulate market conditions they were placed at room temperature for 24 hr، and then qualitative and quantitative parameters such as weight loss، surface color، anthocyanin index، visual quality، decay، pH، titrable acidity، total soluble solid and vitamin C were measured. The results showed that gas combination of 20% CO₂ + 60% O₂ with polyethylene packaging and air in polypropylene packaging had a significant effect on maintaining pH، titrable acidity، total soluble solid compared with control fruits. Also، the fruits packed with polyethylene packaging in 20% CO₂ + 60% O₂ showed the best effect on retaining of vitamin C and anthocyanin index. In conclusion، the application of MAP regardless of gas combination was found to be more effective in maintaining the qualitative and quantitative characteristics compared with fruits without packaging.