S23 - Session P3 - Perforated MAP treatment differentially affects the fruit quality attributes and targeted major metabolites in bell pepper cultivars during shelf life

Authors: Jinwook Lee *, Hnin Phyu Lwin, Jinhee Lee

Bell pepper quality can deteriorate during distribution and storage, and often develop disorders. Thus, the effectiveness of micro perforated modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology on targeted metabolites associated with fruit quality and physiological disorders in 'Volante' and 'Sirocco' bell pepper cultivars was investigated over a period of up to three weeks. MAP reduced weight loss and retained pericarp firmness. The soluble solids and carbohydrates, and organic acid contents were lower in MAP-treated fruit than untreated fruit. Fruit shriveling decreased after MAP treatment. In both cultivars, proline and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels were lower in MAP-treated fruits than in untreated fruits of both cultivars. Fatty acid levels were not affected by MAP treatment but were influenced by the cultivar. Overall, the results indicate that MAP treatment can suppress weight loss and retain pedicel firmness, reducing the bell pepper shriveling during storage and thus prolonging their shelf life.