Effect of Packaging Method on the Quality of Strawberry, Tomato, and plum during Storage

To examine the effect of packaging method on strawberry, tomato, and plum quality, the rate of weight loss, Hunter a value, decay rate, anthocyanin contents, and microbial (total bacterial counts, mold and yeast, and pseudomonas) changes were determined during storage. Strawberry was packaged with low density polyethylene (LDPE). Tomato and plum were packaged with high density polyethylene film (HDPE). Strawberries, tomatoes, and plums were then stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ and 20$^{\circ}C$, respectively. LDPE package was the most effective on the decrease of decay rate of strawberry and the rate of weight loss for packaged strawberry was lower than that of the non-packaged. HDPE package was the most effective on the rate of weight loss during storage of tomatoes and plums regardless of storage temperature. Hunter a value increased during storage. Anthocyanin contents of plums increased overall with increasing storage time, and plums stored without package were changed more than those with package. Microbial changes of strawberry, tomato, and plum stored at 4$^{\circ}C$ and 20$^{\circ}C$ were monitored during storage. Packaging method did not affect the microbial change, yet temperature did affect the microbial change significantly. These results indicate that storage of these commodities at 4$^{\circ}C$ should be recommended in terms ,of microbial safety as well as quality and shelf-life.