Evaluation of physico-chemical changes of fresh-cut unripe papaya during storage

• Physico-chemical parameters of fresh-cut papaya changed drastically under ambient storage.
• LDPE vacuum sealed refrigerated fresh-cut papaya provides 12 days shelf-life.
• LDPE vacuum sealed refrigerated provides good firmness and microbiological stability.

The shelf-life of fresh-cut unripe papaya packed in Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE) and Metallized Polyester poly (MPP) pouches with three different conditions i.e. air sealing, vacuum sealing and sealing in perforated pouches was studied at ambient and refrigerated condition. The physico-chemical parameters analyzed at 3 days interval showed that the oxygen concentration decreased and carbon dioxide concentration increased in all the packaging and storage conditions. The physico-chemical parameters of fresh-cut papaya changed drastically under ambient storage and to a lesser extent in refrigerated storage. Vacuum sealed samples in both the packaging materials stored under ambient condition became soft textured with more juice leakage and off odor, and decayed within 3 days of storage, whereas air sealed samples damaged after 6 days. The highest overall preference for LDPE vacuum sealed pouches was observed under refrigerated storage with good color, firmness and microbiological stability. From the above study it may be concluded that fresh-cut papaya samples can be stored safely in LDPE vacuum sealed pouches under refrigerated condition for 12 days with minimum change in physical and biochemical parameters with higher sensory scores which can be recommended for the fresh-cut food processing industry.