Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Properties of Cucumber (Royal Cultivar)

One of the problems in storage of fruits such as cucumber, is chilling injury which results in change of ingredients and its quality loss. The objective of this study was evaluating the effect of MAP on the quality of cucumber (Royal Cultivar) during storage. Comparing cucumbers’ quality stored at 4˚C under three different packaging conditions: A: atmospheric air and package with holes in equilibrium with environmental air; B: atmospheric air and closed without vents; and C: 10% O2 5% CO2 done. Respiration of cucumbers (based on the amount of CO2 production), chilling injury, changes in glucose, fructose, and malic acid content were evaluated along time. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) preserved cucumbers quality better than conventional refrigerated storage at 4 °C. Increase in CO2 level (5%) and decrease in O2 level (10%) resulted in greater stability of cucumbers against chilling. The Sugar content including fructose and glucose, and organic acids content particularly malic acid were at higher levels in cucumbers stored in package C comparing samples stored in two other packages. The respiration rate (as a function of CO2 production) of cucumber during storage at 4 °C was notably suppressed under MAP conditions which was significant in package C. Finally, modified atmosphere packaging with less oxygen content (10% O2 5% CO2) was found to be beneficial in reducing chilling injury and maintaining cucumber quality and this method can be used as a suitable post-harvest method.