Effect of Storage Conditions and Packaging Materials on Quality Parameters of Curcuminoids Impregnated Coconut and Raw Banana Slices.

Effect of storage conditions and packaging materials on quality parameters of curcuminoids
infused coconut and raw banana slices were studied. Moisture sorption
study was conducted for the developed products in selected packaging materials
namely polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/low density polyethylene
terephthalate (LDPE) and metallized PET/LDPE, under ambient and accelerated
storage conditions for 90 days. The changes in physical, chemical and sensory
parameters of the products were studied during the storage period. The results indicated
that 40% relative humidity was critical for storage of products, above which
the products required a good moisture barrier to achieve the enhanced shelf-life of
the products. In accelerated storage conditions, the moisture content exceeded the
critical moisture content for coconut and raw banana slices within 30 days and 15
days, respectively leading to product deterioration. At the end of the storage period
the coconut samples packed in PP and PET/LDPE crossed the critical moisture content
(3.05%) at ambient storage conditions, whereas, the moisture content of raw
banana samples was within the moisture tolerance limit (11.5%). The curcuminoids
retention, chroma and total color difference (DE) were significantly higher
with better sensory attributes for products packed in metallized PET/LDPE compared
to PET/LDPE and PP. Among all the packaging materials studied metallized
PET/LDPE was found to be a suitable packaging material for both products.
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
The present work deals with the effect of packaging material on physical, chemical
and sensory parameters on the products (curcuminoids impregnated coconut
and raw banana slices) infused with bioactive compounds. The study reveals the
criteria for the selection of packaging materials as well as storage conditions for
curcuminoids impregnated coconut and raw banana slices for the higher retention
of bioactive compounds, besides fulfilling consumer desire, satisfying industry
requirement and maintaining food safety.