The effect of different postharvest packaging treatments on shelf life and quality criterias of W. Murcott and Fremont mandarin cultivars

This study was made on storage of W. Murcott and Fremont mandarin varieties under consumer conditions according to determine effects of paper bag (package 1), 3 different market bags (package, 2,3,4), two different modified atmosphere packages (package 5, 6) and stretch film treatments. In this way, the necessity of these treatments in consumer conditions has been investigated. In the study, fruits were preserved at 4 °C conditions for 8 and 16 days, weight loss, decay losses, acidity, dry matter, juice, pH, fruit width, fruit size, L * a * b *, Chroma and Hue color values with changes in sensory quality characteristics such as taste and smell were examined. According to findings obtained; Weight loss of W. Murcott variety was found around 4% in control and pouch paper, while it was less than 1% in all other treatments. In the Fremont variety, weight loss in control and paper bag application was 6.54% and 3.91% respectively, while weight loss was less than 1.5% in all other treatments. Varieties were determined to lose approximately 3% in the 16 day preservation regardless of treatments. It has been observed that the effect of the treatments on decay losses of W. Murcot was not significant. It has been determined that decay losses in W. Murcott variety are the same in all treatments and are less than approximately 5%. For both W. Murcott and Fremont mandarin varieties; Considering the weight loss, the fact that the fruits are in any package is considered necessary in order to decrease losing weight. It was determined that the brand and quality of the market and modified atmosphere packages used in this trial were not important in terms of weight loss. All of them, including stretch, were found equal and positive effective. To reduce decay losses under consumer conditions; it is seen that in both varieties, it is not necessary to use stretch film, market bags or modified atmosphere packages to preserve mandarins. It has been found that holding on a paper bag or in an open container will be sufficient to decrease decays. It is foreseen that W. Murcott and Fremont mandarins will decay between 5% and 5-20%, respectively, in 16 days storage under consumer conditions.