Technological watch

The aim of this work was to study the effect of hinokitiol impregnated sheets with MAP to extend the shelf life of “KEK?1” tomatoes (called super tomato containing 9°Brix).Gene expression analysis suggested that MAP and MH (MAP + Hinokitiol) packaging treatment inhibited the climacteric rise of mature green tomatoes. “KEK1” tomatoes had longer shelf life under MAP and MH packaging and maintained the quality at 15°C. This study provides a strong basis for the use of MAP along with functional packaging in the improvement in overall quality and extension of shelf life of easily perishable fruits and vegetables.Hinokitiol (??thujaplicin, volatile oil extracted from the wood of Hiba arborvitae [Thujopsis dolabrata var. hondae], cypress family) is a natural preservative, antimicrobial, and chelating agent, used to prevent decay and extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. In the present study, we used nonwoven rayon sheets impregnated with hinokitiol to conduct packaging studies. Mature green tomatoes var. “KEK?1” were packaged under three packaging conditions, ie, modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), MAP + hinokitiol (MH), and perforated film package (as control), and their quality attributes were compared during storage. The packaging materials used were low?density polyethylene (LDPE) film (40 ?m) and fresh sheets of nonwoven rayon impregnated with hinokitiol. O2 in the MAP packaged tomatoes were retained throughout the storage period (3% to 5% O2). Results showed that MH had slightly improved quality attributes throughout the storage period when compared with MAP alone. Expression levels of LeACS, LeADH, and LeTBG4 genes were higher in 5 and 9 days of control when compared with MAP and MH. “KEK?1” tomatoes had longer shelf life under MAP and MH packaging and maintained the quality at 15°C. Hence, the effect of the MAP with bioactive packaging treatments could be effective in the future application for the extension of shelf life and quality of fruits and vegetables.