Vol. 10, Issue 8 (2021)

Author(s):
Merenungla Ozukum, JD Raj, Ngangbam Piloo, PH Arunkumar, Siddhartha Singh and Y Prabhabati

Abstract:
The quality characteristics and shelf life of Naga King Chilli (Capsicum chinense) was studied using four different packaging materials viz. LDPE of 10µ, 15µ and 30µ thickness, and HDPE-100µ thickness at two storage conditions, i.e. ambient (19-25 ^oC, RH 50-80%) and low temperature (5±1 ^oC, and RH 45-50%). The physico-chemical characteristics of chillies showed significant (p< 0.05) changes in terms of weight loss, firmness, colour and ascorbic acid content. An increase in total phenolics and carotenoids content, whereas decrease in flavonoids and capsaicin content was observed with increase in storage period for both the temperatures. The best observations were recorded for chillies packed in LDPE (30µ) bags stored at 5±1 ^oC with low weight loss, high fruit firmness, high retention of chlorophyll, capsaicin, phenolics and ascorbic acid content and a shelf life of 30-35 days followed by the chillies packed in LDPE (30µ) bags stored at room temperature for 25-30 days. The control (No packaging) on the other hand could be stored for 5-10 days and 10-15 days at ambient and low temperature respectively. Prepacked chilli has almost double the shelf life as compared to unpacked fruits.