Maintaining quality of fresh-cut tomato slices through modified atmosphere packaging and low temperature storage

Quality of fresh-cut tomato slices was compared during cold storage undervarious modified atmosphere packaging conditions. Chilling injury of slices in containers sealed with Film A was higher than with Film B; these films had oxygen transmission rates of 87.4 and 60.0 ml.h(-1).m(-2).atm(-1) at 5 degreesC and 99% RH, respectively. While slices in containers with an initial atmospheric composition of air, 4% CO2 + 1 or 20% O-2, 8% CO2 + 1 or 20% O-2, or 12% CO2 + 20% O-2 showed fungal growth, slices in containers with 12% CO2 + 1% O-2 did not. Low ethylene in containers enhanced chilling injury. Modified atmosphere packaging provided good quality tomato slices with a shelf life of 2 w or more at 5 degreesC.