Elisa Julianti

Effect of Modified Atmosphere Packaging on Postharvest Quality of Barangan Banana

An experiment retail film packaging system was used to compare the atmospheric composition within sealed packs containing barangan banana fruits. This research was done in order to study the effect of packaging films with different permeability properties on the physicochemicalproperties of barangan banana during storage at room temperature (28 ± 2°C) and at 15°C. The films used were 0.09 mm low density polyethylene (LDPE), 0.04 mm polypropylene and 0.057 mm LDPE compared with unwrapped fruits as control. Barangan bananas were evaluated each 5 days intervals for changes in moisture content, total sugars, vitamin C, hardness and color. Unwrapped barangan bananas were overripe and soft after 15 days at both temperature conditions. Sealed packages especially using LDPE at 15°C delayed the development of the yellow color of banana until 20 days of storage and had the lowest weight loss.