This study was carried out to evaluate the permeability to O2 and CO2, and gas composition (O2, CO2 and ethylene) inside packages of different thickness and density polyethylene films. Moreover, the physical and chemical quality of Torreon hybrid melon fruit (Cucumis melo L. var. cantalupensis Naud.) grown in a Nutrient Film Technique hydroponic system and stored within polyethylene packages were evaluated. Evaluated treatments were: (1) cold storage (control); packaging with (2) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) of 40µm; (3) LDPE of 60µm; (4) LDPE of 90µm; (5) medium-density polyethylene (MDPE) of 40µm; (6) MDPE of 60µm. Fruits were stored during 25 days at 3.8±0.2°C plus two days of shelf-life at 20°C. LDPE of 60 and 90µm and MDPE of 60µm had lower CO2-permeability, allowing the higher CO2 concentrations inside the packages. LDPE of 90µm had the lowest O2-permeability. Lower ethylene concentration was observed in 40µm-LDPE bags. Packaging decreased drastically fruit weight loss, when compared with non-packaged fruits. Flesh firmness was higher in fruits stored in 40µm-LDPE, but was not different from 40µm-MDPE-stored fruits. Rot incidence in turn was significantly lower in fruits stored in 60µm-LDPE. In general, packaging of ‘Torreon’ melon fruit, grown in a hydroponic system, with the evaluated polyethylene films allowed similar physical and chemical quality.
modified atmosphere; O2; CO2; ethylene; permeability
