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Storage of Persimmon Fruit (diospyros Kaki L.) by Making Intrachllular Water Structured Using Xenon Gas

MA Rahman
Senior Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Technology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur.

MA Khair
Professor
Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh

AKM Saiful Islam
Senior Scientific Officer
Farm Machinery and Postharvest Technology Division, Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur.

MN Islam
Professor
Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, Bangladesh.

GK Bhuiyan
Scientitic Officer
Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study was undertaken to observe the effect of Xenon (Xe), a nonpolar gas on the shelf life of persimmon fruits. Structured water was formed when Xe gas was applied in persimmon fruits. Fruit was treated with Xe gas at a pressure of 0.25MPa for two successive periods, on starting-and at the 15th day of storage at temperature of 5^oC. The storage containers were depressuried when carbon dioxide (CO₂) gas concentration exceeded 15% to avoid damage of fruits clue to high amount of CO₂. It was found that the respiration rate was 46% lower in tire Xe treated sample (5.1 mgCO₂kg^-1h^-1) in comparison to the control (9.6 mgCO₂kg^-1h^-1). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study showed that the normal cellular structure was maintained in the Xe treated sample. Metabolic activity was suppressed in the treated sample. Thus, Xenon helped in maintaining the quality of persimmon fruits, in terms of the suppression of the color changes and browning of flesh. These observations ie.t to the conclusion that the Xe treatment could be effective for extending the storage life of persimmon fruits.

Keywords: Xenon gas, Persimmon, Storage, Structured water, Respiration, SEM, Browning

Location: Bangladesh Rice Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Postharvest and Agro-processing

Commodity: Persimmon

Objectives:

To observe the effect of Xenon (Xe), a nonpolar gas on the shelf life of persimmon fruits.

Methodology:

Fruit of almost the same maturity and color were selected. The selected fruits were placed in two acrylic resin containers. The volume of the containers were the same 0.95 x 10^-3 m3 with inside diameter 100 x 10^-3 m and height 110 x 10^-3 m. Immediately after closing the lids, Xe was superimposed to the air in the containers. The pressure and temperatures were 0.25MPa and 20⁰C respectively. One of the containers was used as a control with Xe being not superimposed to it. Both containers were then placed in a constant temperature chamber at 5⁰C. The atmosphere inside each container was sampled using a 1 ml gas syringe inserted through a septum made of silicon rubber caulking. Samples were taken three times in each day. The 1-ml gas samples were analyzed for CO₂ concentration using a GC-14A gas chromatograph (Shimadzu Co., Japan) equipped with a thermoconductivity detector. On the 15th day Xe gas was depressurized to release high CO₂ which may deteriorate the fruit in the container. The again Xe was applied to the container at the same pressure. For the control, ventilation was carried out three times on the 7th, 15th and 21 the day to release high CO₂. In both cases, storage was continued for 25 days after ventilation. The surface color and total soluble solids (TSS) contents of fruit, were determined at the start and end of the test. The surface color at 5 different location in the equator line was determined using a color and color difference meter (model z-1001DP, Nippon Denshoku Kogyo Co., Japan) and the average value was taken as a color parameter of L*, A* and b* values as follows: ?E = √(L*₂-L*₁)²+(a*₂-a*₁)²+(b*₂-b*₁)². Where, L*: Lightness/Darkness, a*: green/light, b*: blue/yellow, L*₂, a*₂ and b*₂ indicates reading at the end while L*₁, a*₁ and b*₁ pertain to initial readings. The total color difference value of fruits and vegetables was classified by National Bureau of Standards (NBS) unit. The TSS content was determined directly by using a Digital Refractometer (Atago PR-201, Atago co., Japan). 5 g of flesh was homogenized with 10g of distilled water (SMT Process Homogenizer, SMT co., Japan) for 5 min. The reading on the refractometer was then taken. The color of the flesh was visually observed at the end of the experiment. Cellular structures were examined with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) at the end of the storage period. Persimmon tissues were cut with a sterilized blade. Identical targeted areas were selected from the Xe-treated and control fruits to avoid heterogeneity. The dried persimmon samples were then sputter coated (e-1000, Ion coater, Japan) with platinum and observed with a scanning electron microscopy (Is-4000, Horiba, Japan) operated at 10 kV.

Source of Information: Intl. J. BioRes. 1(2): 33-39 August, 2006

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The application of Xe gas in storage of the persimmon fruits was associated with low respiratory rate. No appreciable clear change on surface color was observed. Flesh color was also not observed in the cut surfaces of treated fruit. Flesh browning and degradation of the cellular structure were not observed. The Xe treated sample was found to retain its freshness. It is concluded that the Xe treatment many be a useful storage method for other fresh agricultural products.

Knowledge Management: Journal