title: Marketability of ready-to-eat cactus pear as affected by temperature and modified atmosphere.
abstract: In order to increase the diffusion of cactus pear fruits, in this study, the proper maturity index for peeling and processing them as ready-to-eat product was evaluated and characterized. Thereafter, the effects of different storage temperatures and modified atmosphere conditions on the marketability of ready-to-eat cactus pear were studied. The storage of ready-to-eat fruits at 4 °C in both passive (air) and semi-active (10 kPa O2 and 10 kPa CO2) modified atmosphere improved the marketability by 30%, whereas the storage at 8 °C caused a dangerous reduction in O2 partial pressure inside modified atmosphere packages, due to fruits' increased metabolic activity. A very low level of initial microbial growth was detected, while a severe increase in mesophilic and psychrophilic bacteria was shown in control samples at both temperatures during storage; an inhibitory effect of modified atmosphere on microbial growth was also observed. In conclusion, modified atmosphere improved only the marketability of fruits stored at 4 °C; whereas the storage at 8 °C resulted in deleterious effects on the ready-to-eat fruits, whether stored in air or in modified atmosphere.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR-National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola, 122/O-70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cefola
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR-National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola, 122/O-70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimiliano
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Renna
authors.affiliation: Institute of Sciences of Food Production, CNR-National Research Council of Italy, Via G. Amendola, 122/O-70126, Bari, Italy.
authors.forename: Bernardo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pace
keywords: Cold storage; Fresh-cut; Maturity stage; Opuntia ficus-indica [L.] Mill; Spoilage