This work was carried out to evaluate the effects of low density polyethylene bags (LDPB) with different thickness on Golden Star starfruit shelf life. The fruits were harvested at mature-green ripening stage, selected from lack of defects and placed in LDPB bags, constituting the following treatments: T1 - control (no bags); T2 - 6 mum thickness LDPB; T3 - 10 mum thickness LDPB; T4 - 15 mum thickness LDPB. Fruits were stored for 45 days in refrigerated air at 12 +/- 0,5ºC and 95 +/- 3% RH and then left at 22 +/- 3ºC and 72 +/- 5% RH for 5 days. Twenty-four hours after harvest and every nine days, samples were removed from cold storage, kept for 12 hours in ambient air (22 +/- 3ºC and 72 +/- 5% RH) and then analyzed for flesh firmness, weight loss, epidermal color, total soluble solids, total titratable acidity, and occurrence of physiological disorders. Fruits were also evaluated by a trained taste panel. Highest values of flesh firmness and titratable acidity, the best color standard, the lowest soluble content as well as decay incidence and the best acceptance scores by the taste panelists were achieved in fruits stored in 10 mum thickness LDPB.
polyethylene bags; postharvest; LDPB; quality
