Abstract

Broad leaf mustard (Brassica juncea) is a highly perishable vegetable with short shelf life. In order to evaluate the effect of modified atmosphere packaging on shelf life and quality of broad leaf mustard in different storage condition, a study was conducted at Sudarbazar, Lamjung. A factorial combination of four different perforation (0, 10, 20 and 30) along with open and two storage conditions (ambient and Zero Energy Cool Chamber (ZECC)) using completely randomized design with three replications were used. Data on weight loss%, decay%, chlorophyll content and color was taken on 1 day interval until complete decaying of the crop. Packaging condition as well as different storage condition had significant effect on different quality parameters except chlorophyll content. On 10^th day, weight loss and decay in ZECC was less than that of ambient condition. Interaction effect of packaging and storage condition also had significant effect on quality parameters excluding chlorophyll content. On 2^nd day , 10 perforation under ZECC gained weight by 16.30% but open lost weight by 4.307%. Until day 3, no decay was observed in all the treatments. On day 4, decay% was lowest in 0 (0%), 20 (0%) and 30 (0%) perforations in comparison to open (3.5%). Similar trend was observed on day 10 as well. None of the treatment had significant effect on chlorophyll content. Shelf life of packaged commodity was prolonged up to 8 days and 10 days under ambient condition and ZECC respectively.

Keywords

ambient condition, chlorophyll content, post harvest, low density polyethylene, shelf life, respiration process, refrigeration system, packaging material, transpiration rate, ambient condition, reduce moisture loss, post-harvest quality, Lamjung condition