Abstract:
The objective of this study was to determine the effect of active and passive modified atmosphere packaging along with ethylene absorber on physico-chemical quality of red bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.). Low-density-polyethylene films for packaging and 5 g of KMnO4 pockets as ethylene absorber were used for storage of pepper under modified atmoshere packaging (MAP) conditions at 10 +/- 1 degrees C and 95 +/- 5 % relative humidity. The gas mixture (5 % 02 + 5 % CO2) was filled inside the bags for active MAP The bags for passive MAP were sealed in ambient atmosphere. The final O-2 levels were 8.6 % and 7.9 % in active packages, while 6.8 % and 2.2 % in passive packages with and without ethylene absorber, respectively. The levels of CO2 in all packages were at desired values. Weight loss was below 1 % in MAP samples, while it was 15.1 % in control samples. Both MAP versions maintained the physicochemical quality better than that of control samples. However, passive MAP was more effective on antioxidant content ( except for total phenolic and cysteine contents) and on antioxidant activity. In addition, ethylene absorbers showed positive effects on the bioactive content of pepper.
