Effect of modified atmosphere packaging and storage temperature on volatile composition and postharvest life of minimally-processed pomegranate arils (cvs. 'Acco' and 'Herskawitz')

This study investigated the effects of passive modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), storage temperature (5, 10 and 15 degrees C) and duration of 14 days on the postharvest quality attributes, compositional change in flavour attributes and microbiological quality of minimally processed pomegranate arils (Punica granatum cvs 'Acco' and 'Herskawitz'. Volatile compounds were extracted via headspace solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 17 and 18 volatiles were detected and identified in the headspace of pomegranate juices of 'Acco' and 'Herskawitz', respectively. Based on the physicochemical attributes and microbial evaluation, the postharvest life of MA-packaged 'Acco' and 'Herskawitz' was limited to 10 days due to fungal growth >= 2 log CFU g(-1) at 5 degrees C. However, the concentration (%) and compositional changes in volatile compounds indicated that the flavour/aroma life (7 days) was shorter than the postharvest shelf-life based on appearance and other physicochemical (10 days) for both cultivars. (c) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.