Impact of Modified Atmospheric Packaging Films on Health-Promoting Compounds in Cold-Stored Kinnow' Mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour x C. deliciosa Tenora) Fruit

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the effect of different modified atmosphere packagings (MAPs) on total flavonoids, protein, total free amino acids, total sugar and reducing sugar of Kinnow' mandarin (Citrus nobilis Lour x C. deliciosa Tenora) fruit. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) film (100 gauge without perforation), LDPE film (150 gauge without perforation), polypropylene (PP) film (100 gauge without perforation), PP film (150 gauge without perforation), LDPE film (100 gauge with 5% perforation), LDPE film (150 gauge with 5% perforation), PP film (100 gauge with 5% perforation) and PP film (150 gauge with 5% perforation) were selected as treatments. Unpacked fruits were considered as control. All fruits were kept at 5-7 degrees C and 90-95% relative humidity (RH) for 75 days. When the general averages of the treatments were evaluated, the highest total flavonoids, protein, total free amino acids, total sugar and reducing sugar values were measured in the PP 100 gauge with 5% perforation treatment, whereas the lowest values were identified in the control. In general, total flavonoids and protein decreased in treatments during cold storage. In contrast, total free amino acids, total sugar and reducing sugar increased. In conclusion, it was revealed that the PP 100 gauge with 5% perforation treatment could be used as an effective tool for retarding the losses that occurred in the quality of Kinnow' mandarin fruit during cold storage.