Effects of refrigerated storage and packaging on postharvest behaviour of grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) var. Italia were investigated with the objective of increasing shelf life. Bunches of grapes at mature green color stage were individually sealed in three different films (Cryovac® PD-900; Cryovac® PD-955 e Cryovac® PD-961EZ) with high permeability to oxygen and carbon dioxide. They were stored for 63 days at 1ºC (85-95% RH) and for 21 days at 25ºC (80-90% RH); non-sealed fruits served as control. During the storage period, sensory evaluation was carried out using a 9-cm unstructured hedonic scale for overall acceptance of appearance and flavor with 30 panelists per session. They were analyzed for total soluble solids, pH, titratable acidity and vitamin C. The packed fruits presented weight loss rates 28 times smaller than the control ones, but no significant difference was observed (p>0.05) among the different packaging. The combination 1°C / PD-955 film prolonged the shelf life of the grapes for more than 63 days against 11 to 21 days of the control ones. For the packed grapes the end of the shelf life was determined by decay and for the control ones by the weight loss, that caused shriveling, loss of turgidity of the berries and drying of the clusters and pedicels.
modified atmosphere packaging; sensory evaluation; postharvest physiology; weight loss
