D.M. Gautam1, Naupaney2, K.M Tripathi1, A.L. Acedo Jr.3, W.Easdown3, J.A. Hughes4 and J.D.H. keatinge4
1Agriculture and Forestry University,Chitwan, Nepal
2Nepal Polytechnic Institute, Chitwan, Nepal
3AVRDC- The world Vegetable Center South Asia, Hyderabad, India
4AVRDC- The world Vegetable Center Headquarters, Shanhua, Tainan, Taiwan
Abstract
Postharvest loss of cauliflower in Nepal is very high due to improper harvesting, handling, packaging and transportation. Farmers usually harvest cauliflowers with 5-6 leaves and transport to the market, which constitute 35% of weight. A study was carried out to find out the effect of different packaging material on transportation loss and thereafter shelf life of
Cauliflower at ambient storage condition (30.1 ± 0.9⁰C and 79.5 ± 9.5 % RH). Cauliflowers var. 'Snow Mystique' at commercially matured, tight curd stage were harvested from the farmer's field by usual practice and grouped into; retention of 5-6 leaves (farmer's practice), removal of all leaves, and removal of all leaves followed by news print wrapping. Each group
of curd samples were further divided into four subgroups packaging methods: nylon net bag, general plastic bag, plastic crate with newsprint liner and 50µ low-density polyethylene bag (LDPE) (modified atmosphere packaging or MAP technique developed earlier). Five packages of produce at 1O kg each were used for each treatment; each pack representing a replicate.
They were then transported in pick-up van from a farm in Kavre to Chitwan, about 200 km distance. Water droplets accumulated inside the MAP bag; bulging of the bag was noticed; and temperatures inside the bag were slightly higher than that in the other packaging treatments. Weight loss during transportation was highest in nylon bag (4%), followed by plastic crate and lowest in plastic bag. No weight loss was recorded in sealed 50 LDPE. During subsequent ambient storage, curds packed in plastic crates had the longest shelf life (10 days) while those in the MAP, the shortest (<6 days). Thus, complete sealing in MAP was not beneficial. Cauliflower with 5-6 leaves exhibited more weight loss however the shelf life or retention of quality was at par with the cauliflower wrapped in news print. Wrapping by news paper minimizes the cost of transportation without affecting the transportation loss and quality of cauliflower.
Keywords: LDPE, MAP, Postharvest loss, Transportation loss, Harvest stage.