Rodov Victor, Porat Ron, Sabag Amit, Kochanek Bettina, Friedman Haya
Agricultural Research Organization, The Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion 7505101, Israel.
Foods. 2022 Apr 9;11(8):1086. doi: 10.3390/foods11081086.
Plastic packaging preserves the quality of ethylene-treated bananas by generating a beneficial modified atmosphere (MA). However, petroleum-based plastics cause environmental pollution, due to their slow decomposition. Biodegradable packaging may help resolve this controversy, provided it shows adequate preservation efficacy. In this study, we tested the compostable biodegradable polyester packaging of ethylene-treated bananas in comparison with commercially available petroleum-based plastic alternatives. When compostable packaging was used in a non-perforated form, it caused hypoxic fermentation, manifested as impaired ripening, off-flavor, and excessive softening. Micro-perforation prevented fermentation and allowed MA buildup. Furthermore, no water condensation was observed in the biodegradable packages, due to their somewhat higher water vapor permeability compared to conventional plastics. The fruit weight loss in biodegradable packaging was higher than in polypropylene, but 3-4-fold lower than in open containers. The control of senescence spotting was the major advantage of microperforated biodegradable packaging, combined with the preservation of acceptable fruit firmness and flavor, and low crown rot incidence. Optimal biodegradable packages extended the shelf life of bananas by four days compared with open containers, and by two days compared with the best commercial plastic package tested. Microperforated biodegradable packages combined the advantage of improved sustainability with superior fruit preservation.
塑料包装通过营造有益的气调环境（MA）来保持经乙烯处理香蕉的品质。然而，石油基塑料由于分解缓慢会造成环境污染。如果可生物降解包装具有足够的保鲜效果，那么它可能有助于解决这一争议。在本研究中，我们将经乙烯处理香蕉的可堆肥生物可降解聚酯包装与市售石油基塑料替代品进行了比较。当以无穿孔形式使用可生物降解包装时，会导致缺氧发酵，表现为成熟受阻、异味和过度软化。微穿孔可防止发酵并使气调环境得以形成。此外，由于可生物降解包装的水蒸气透过率略高于传统塑料，因此未观察到水分凝结现象。可生物降解包装中的果实重量损失高于聚丙烯包装，但比敞口容器低3至4倍。控制衰老斑点是微穿孔可生物降解包装的主要优势，同时还能保持果实可接受的硬度和风味，并降低冠腐病发病率。与敞口容器相比，最佳的可生物降解包装使香蕉的货架期延长了四天，与测试的最佳商业塑料包装相比延长了两天。微穿孔可生物降解包装兼具可持续性提高和果实保鲜效果优异的优势。
