Development and Testing of Packages For Transportation of Gu.ava (Ps!dlvm Guajava L .)

Abstract

The study on development an.d testing of packages for transportation of guava fruits was undertaken to evaluate the effect of different types of packages and vibration level during transpmtation on the shelf life of guava fruits under ambient storage environment. Guava fruits were packed in CFB box, plastic crate, wooden box and bamboo basket each. CFB box with cushioning material was also used and fruits packed in respective boxes and tested for the simulation vibration at two levels of 150 rpm and 200 rpm each for two levels and time period of 3 hours and 6 hours each. The quality of guava fruits was observed in terms of physiological loss in weight, acidity, firmness, ascorbic acid and total soluble solids. In all the treatments physiological loss in weight increased with storage duration, intensity and duration of vibration, where as ascorbic acid and firmness decreased with increasing storage period. Total. soluble solids increased steadily during storage. Based upon above parameters, among four types of packages CFB box was found to be the best packaging material for maintaining the fruits more fresh and healthy dwing the simulated vibration treatments in an ambient storage conditions with the minimum losses. The CFB was most suitable package in all respect. Cushioning material as paper cuttings has positive correlation with the quality parameters of fruits packed in CFB box. It was observed that CFB Box losses less and keep healthy the guava fruits as compared to other three type of packages viz. wooden crate, Bamboo basket and plastic crate.