Active Packaging Techniques to Reduce Post-Harvest Loss in Perishables with Special Reference to Mango (cv. Dushari)

Abstract

All horticultural produce continue their metabolic activities soon after harvest and during storage period. Modified atmospheric packaging is a common practice to minimize postharvest losses and extend shelf life of the produce. Even under modified atmosphere the control of respiration rate of the produce is limited. Optimal packaging micro environment can be adversely affected by dynamic changes in temperature and relative humidity throughout the storage period and under transportation. As an alternative, active packaging technologies provide interactive controls between the produce, package and surrounding environment to achieve and retain optimal atmospheric conditions inside the packages. Various active packaging technologies have been developed and are commercially available for a range of food products including horticultural produce and the combination of these with other postharvest management strategies offers benefits to extend shelf life. This paper reviews the recent active packaging technologies and their applications focused on horticultural produce such as Mango.