BABARINDE G.O., FABUNMI O.A.
Abstract
The effect of packaging materials on weight loss, colour, titratable acidity, microbial load, moisture, ascorbic acid,
pH and ash contents of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) was studied during storage at room (28 ± 2°C) and
refrigerating condition (15 ± 2°C) using three different packages (open plastic bowl (which served as control),
plastic sieve over-wrapped with low density polyethylene bags, low density polyethylene bags (LDPE) -15 × 15 cm).
The experiments were set up in a split plot design with storage medium being main plots and packaging material being
sub-plots. The results showed that packaging materials had a significant (p < 0.05) effect on weight loss, firmness,
pH and ascorbic acid. Ash content was better preserved in low density polyethylene (LDPE) bags stored in both storage media.
Okra stored in polyethylene followed by plastic sieve container controlled weight loss and delayed senescence significantly
(p < 0.05). The results of the chemical analysis showed a decrease in pH from 6.7 to 5.5, increase in titratable acidity
and decrease in ascorbic acid content under both storage conditions. Ascorbic acid was however more retained in
polyethylene at refrigerating condition than its control counter part. Fruit rot was noticed on the twelfth day of
storage. Result of total viable count showed growth increase in polyethylene samples during storage than the control
under room condition. LDPE packaging materiál however extended okra marketable life with lowest weight loss up till
the ninth day at room temperature and more than 9 days under refrigerating condition. Therefore, our results indicate
that LDPE was better than other storage materials in okra storage, with refrigeration better than room condition storage
medium.
Key words:
okra (Abelmoschus esculentus), packaging materials, low density polyethylene, ambient temperature, refrigerating condition, storage period