Impact of Different Packaging Materials on Fruit Physical Parameters and Shelf-life: A Case Study of Kinnow Mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) under Ambient Storage

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of ten packaging materials on the physical quality and shelf life of Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco) under ambient storage. The treatments comprised control, newspaper, brown paper, nylon net bag, plastic crate, shrink film, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) 25 µm, gunny bag, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) 25 µm, and corrugated fibreboard (CFB) box. The experiment followed a completely randomised design with three replications, and observations were recorded at 4-day intervals for 16 days. Fruit weight, diameter, volume, juice-to-peel ratio, physiological loss in weight (PLW), and decay loss were assessed. Across the storage period, shrink film maintained fruit physical characteristics more effectively than the other treatments. On Day 16, shrink-film-packed fruits retained the highest fruit weight (180.25 g), fruit diameter (63.94 mm), fruit volume (190.58 ml), and juice-to-peel ratio (1.66). Shrink film also recorded the lowest PLW (2.56%) and decay loss (5.01%). LDPE 25 µm and HDPE 25 µm generally performed favourably relative to the untreated control. In contrast, control fruits recorded the highest PLW (25.06%) and decay loss (50.26%) at the end of storage. Under the conditions and duration of this experiment, shrink film was the most effective packaging treatment for limiting physical deterioration and storage losses in Kinnow mandarin.