EFFECT OF PALLETIZED MAP STORAGE ON THE QUALITY AND NUTRITIONAL COMPOUNDS OF THE JAPANESE PLUM CV.ANGELENO (PRUNUS SALICINA LINDL.)

The influence of active modified atmosphere packaging MAP (10.0 kPa of O2 and 5 kPa of CO2) on palletized system was evaluated to extend the marketability of fresh plums cv. Angeleno. Fruits were wrapped with a polyethylene film in pallet bag units at 1C and 90% relative humidity for up to 60 days. The gas values of the pallet bags, the fruit weight losses and their qualitative and nutraceutical characteristics were periodically monitored to evaluate the goodness of storage. The results showed as the pallet bag have maintained the market life of Angeleno plums to up to 60 days, preserving the most important qualitative traits of fruits. After 20, 40 and 60 days the MAP treatment maintained the pulp harder than control fruits respectively of 0.87, 0.75 and 0.46 kg/cm2 and the SUAC index (quotient of the sum of sugars and sum of acids) was unaffected by the gas composition.