Evaluation of Quality Changes on  Elberta Peach during Storage with Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

In the present research، effects of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) including three gas combinations and two packaging films (Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and Polypropylene (PP)) on postharvest quality and storage-life of ''Elberta'' peach were evaluated. The study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on CRD (completely randomized design) with three replicates for 9 weeks. Fruits were stored at 1oC and 90% relative humidity (RH). Packages with air combination considered as control. Samples were taken out each week and quality parameters of the fruits (color index، weight loss، firmness، total soluble solids، titratable acidity، pH، ethylene production and TSS/TA ratio) were measured after 24hr at room temperature. Results showed that fruits in the modified atmosphere packaging had better preservation of quality characteristics. Factors such as firmness، pH، TA، TSS and TSS/TA ratio maintained better in LDPE film compared to polypropylene film. Ethylene production in polypropylene film was less than LDPE film. Gas combination of 10% CO2 and 2% O2 maintained a better quality according to firmness، pH، TA، weight loss، TSS/TA ratio and reduced ethylene production compared to treatment of 5% CO2 and 2% O2. In conclusion، in LDPE film with gas combination of 10% CO2 and 2% O2، quality was maintained better and the storage-life of ''Elberta'' peach was extended for 63 days.