Abstract:
Ongoing global drive for a healthier diet has led
to a rise in demand for convenient and fresh food produce,
with high nutritional value and free of additives. Minimally
fresh processed fruits and vegetables, satisfies the consumers’
perception of a high nutritional quality and convenience
produce. Minimally processed fruit and vegetables are
susceptible to increased deterioration in quality and microbial
infestation due to increase in endogenous enzymatic processes
and respiration rate. Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)
technology offers the possibility to retard produce respiration
rate and extend the shelf life of fresh produce. However, it is
important to correlate the permeability properties of the
packing films with the respiration rate of the produce, in
order to avoid anaerobic conditions which could lead into
fermentation of produce and accumulation of ethanol. Hence,
mathematical prediction modelling is now widely applied in
the design and development of effective MAP technology in
both whole and minimally processed fresh produce. With
increasing global interest in postharvest handling and nutrition
value of pomegranate, MAP of minimally processed
pomegranate arils offers additional innovative tool for optimal
use and value addition, including the utilization of lowergrade
fruit with superficial peel defects such as; cracks, splits,
and sunburnt. This review paper highlights the current status
and applications of modified atmosphere packaging in whole
fruit and minimally processed pomegranate arils and identifies
future prospects.
