STUDIES ON IMPROVING POSTHARVEST QUALITY OF COMMON BEANS FOR SEA TRANSPORTION

Abstract

The experiment was carried out during the two seasons of 2009 and 2010 on Common beans F1 Hybrid Al Hama to study the effect of two packaging materials and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on quality attribute of Common beans stored at 4,6 and8oC and 95% RH for 21 days. Common beans packed in polyethylene film the highest intensities of freshness, greenness as compared with those stored in polypropylene bags. There were no differences in weight loss between Common beans stored in the different packaging materials. The green pods stored in polyethylene packages contained the highest chemical content (protein, total chlorophyll, fiber, carbohydrates and total soluble solids) with the highest quality attributes (general appearance, weight loss, shelf life and decay) during the storage period comparing with all treatments used except fiber ratio was lower in the packages stored in polyethylene packages under the conditions of modified atmosphere 5%O+15%CO2 with temperature 6 degrees Celsius. The pods consisted in control treatment less chemical content ratio and quality attributes of pods and highest in the percentage of fiber and weight loss from the rest of the all treatments.

Key Words: Common Beans, Phaseolus, Storage, Postharvest, Modified atmosphere, Controlled atmosphere.