Effect of BreatheWay^® microporous membrane on gaseous atmosphere and shelf life of ackee fruit

BreatheWay^® membrane technology is a temperature responsive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) system. The effect of BreatheWay^® microporous patch coated with a polymer mixture was investigated on the arils of ackee fruit stored at 5, 10 or 15°C. The CO₂ in packages of arils stored at 5°C MAP decreased from 1.53 to 0.52%, while control increased from 0.37 to 0.43% over 10 days of storage. The CO₂ in packages of arils stored at 10°C remained at 1.82%, while 10°C control averaged 0.57% during 10 days of storage. The O₂ in MAP 10 days after storage at 5 and 10°C increased from 16.61 to 20.21% and 14.19 to 17.84%, respectively, while O₂ in control packages remained at atmospheric concentrations. The packages stored at 15°C were removed and assessed after 5 days of storage due to the presence of fungal mycelium. The C₂H₄ varied significantly (P≤0.05) between MAP and control for the storage temperatures of 5, 10, and 15°C. There was no significant difference in aril hue (H*) angle before and after the storage period for the temperatures of 5, 10, and 15°C. The arils stored at 5°C lost firmness but arils stored at 10 or 15°C remained at 2.5 kgf. Thus, quality attributes of ackee arils can be maintained for about 10 days postharvest with regulation of temperature and the use of BreatheWay^® membrane technology.