Packaging of Plantain for Improved Quality and Shelf Life

Abstract

Plantain is an important cash and subsistence crop for the small-scale producers in Ghana but unfortunately, the plantain industry is plagued with high postharvest losses. These postharvest problems affect plantain quality and increase losses. The main aim of this study was to improve the quality and shelf life of plantains during the postharvest handling period by using different packaging options using two parameters. The first section was conducted to evaluate the effects of treatments (use of shredded plantain pseudostem, potassium permanganate, a combination of both, and control) and packaging types (paper, wood and plastic boxes) on the sensory and physicochemical components of plantains. The second part of the study dealt with the effect of packing arrangements on transit and subsequent storage of the plantains. The five packing arrangements were; i) Fingers separated by a layer of Styrofoam ii) Fingers lying directly on top of each other (no Styrofoam) iii) Hands separated by a layer of Styrofoam iv) Hands lying directly on top of each other (no Styrofoam) v) bunches separated by a layer of Styrofoam. All samples but the bunches were placed in were in plastic boxes during transportation and storage. Significant differences were found between the bunches and the four other arrangements after transit. Total soluble solids (TSS), reducing sugar (RS), total sugar (TS), titratable acidity (TA), and pH were determined to follow the progression to senescence. By day 22, the TSS of the plantains in the pseudostem + KMnO4 treatment recorded 36% and 25% in the pseudostem treatment. RS recorded 1.8% for pseudostem + KMnO4 treatment and 1.3% for the pseudostem treatment. TS recorded 3.2% for pseudostem + KMnO4 treatment and 1.9% for the pseudostem treatment. This trend was also observed for both TA and pH. These results were general averages of the packaging types. Pulp firmness, peel colour and level of bruising, were also analysed by sensory means and followed the same trend with the plantains in the pseudostem + KMnO4 treatment ripening faster than those in the pseudostem treatment. The pseudostem proved to be an ideal storage material for preserving the quality and extending the green life of plantains. For the packaging types, the plastic boxes contained and protected the plantains effectively. They also provided enough air for ventilation to combat heat but not too much to facilitate the ripening of the plantains. The paper and wooden boxes were less efficient thus, the quality of the plantains was compromised. Results of the first section (Objectives 1,2,3) indicated that plastic boxes with shredded plantain pseudostem recorded the longest shelf life of the plantains at 22 days, while plantains in the paper boxes with the pseudostem + KMnO4 recorded the lowest at 13 days, before senescence. Results from Specific Objective 4 informed that pulp firmness and level of bruising were 2.00±00 for the bunches and 1.00±0.2 for the other four arrangements. Peel colour however wasn't affected. The use of Styrofoam did not have as much or any effect on the plantains during transit as the use of packaging did. During storage, the bunches ripened and reached senescence the fastest due to a high level of bruising, exposure to direct sunlight and oxygen. Hands with no Styrofoam was the second arrangement to reach senescence, followed by hands with Styrofoam, then fingers with no Styrofoam, and lastly fingers with Styrofoam. It took a maximum of 15 days for all samples to reach senescence but by day 12, the bunches were decayed. Consequently, the use of plastic box and shredded plantain pseudostem as a storage material prolonged the green life of the plantain and improved upon its physical quality. Plantains arranged in fingers can also be used to preserve quality and extend green life of plantain.