Use of equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging for preservation of ‘San Antonio’ and ‘Banane’ breba crops (Ficus carica L.)

• Equilibrium modified atmospheres allowed for extension of cold storage for breba fruit.
• Microperforated films minimized fruit weight loss.
• The microperforated film M50 delayed the appearance of fungal disorders.
• The film M50 showed the best performance in terms of fruit physiological decay.
• The breba cultivar had an important impact on extension of postharvest life.

The purpose of this work was to study the effect of equilibrium modified atmosphere packaging on the stability of ‘San Antonio’ and ‘Banane’ breba fruit during postharvest cold storage by the use of three different microperforated films (1/50 mm, 1/30 mm, and 1/10 mm; ø = 100 μm). Gas composition in the wraps, weight loss, % disorder, and microbial counts were monitored during cold storage for 21 days. The tested microperforated films allowed the extension of cold storage time for brebas, minimizing weight loss and delaying the disorders due to fungal proliferation, especially M50 (1/50 mm). Total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), pH, firmness, and sensory quality were also evaluated. Among the tested microperforated films, M50 showed the best performance in terms of delaying physicochemical senescence processes of fruit. The breba cultivar had an important impact on the extension of cold storage. For ‘San Antonio’ and ‘Banane’ cultivars packaged with microperforated M50, the optimal time of cold storage was 14 and 21 days, respectively.