title: Preservation of different fig cultivars (Ficus carica L.) under modified atmosphere packaging during cold storage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on the stability of 'Cuello Dama Blanco' (CDB), 'Cuello Dama Negro' (CDN) and 'San Antonio' (SA) figs during post-harvest cold storage was evaluated by using three different films with a diverse number of microperforations (diameter, ø = 100 µm): M10 (16 holes), M30 (five holes) and M50 (three holes). A macroperforated film was used as control (five holes, ø = 9 mm). Gas composition, weight loss, percentage disorder, microbial counts and physico-chemical parameters were monitored during cold storage for 21 days. Furthermore, sensory quality was also evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MAP has allowed the extension of cold storage and distribution time for the three different cultivars of figs, minimising weight loss and delaying pathological disorders related to endosepsis, smut, and souring. Of the three cultivars, the M50 batch (one hole per 50 mm) showed the best efficiency in terms of physico-chemical quality and delay of post-harvest decay, although the M30 batch was also found to be suitable for delaying the post-harvest decay, especially for the CDB cultivar.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MAP is a useful tool to extend the storability with optimal quality properties for CDN and SA during 21 days of cold storage and 14-17 days of cold storage for CDB.
authors.affiliation: Nutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06071, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: María del Carmen
authors.initials: Mdel C
authors.lastname: Villalobos
authors.affiliation: Instituto Tecnológico Agroalimentario de Extremadura (INTAEX-CICYTEX), Área de Vegetales, Gobierno de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06071, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: Manuel Joaquín
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Serradilla
authors.affiliation: Nutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06071, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Martín
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación Finca La Orden-Valdesequera (CICYTEX), Área de Hortofruticultura, Gobierno de Extremadura, Autovía Madrid-Lisboa s/n, 06187, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: Margarita
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: López Corrales
authors.affiliation: Centro de Investigación Finca La Orden-Valdesequera (CICYTEX), Área de Hortofruticultura, Gobierno de Extremadura, Autovía Madrid-Lisboa s/n, 06187, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.affiliation: Nutrición y Bromatología, Escuela de Ingenierías Agrarias, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda. Adolfo Suárez s/n, 06071, Badajoz, Spain.
authors.forename: María de Guía
authors.initials: Mde G
authors.lastname: Córdoba
mesh_terms: D001272:Atmosphere; D003080:Cold Temperature; D030681:Ficus; D018857:Food Packaging / Q000379:methods*; D005519:Food Preservation / Q000379:methods*; D061353:Food Storage; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: MAP; decay; figs; quality; sensory analysis