EFFECT OF MODIFIED PACKAGES ON FRUIT QUALITY OF IRRADIATED DATES DURING STORAGE

Abstract

This study was conducted as an attempt to solve some of the problems that limit the export of Egyptian date fruits. Two varieties of Egyptian dates were chosen, Hayani (rutabe) as a fresh dates one and Sakouti as a dry dates. Different biodegradable coating films was prepared from polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan, tannic acid and the irradiated mixture of them using γ- irradiation with different doses to prolong the shelf life of Rutabe dates (Hayani cv.) during marketing and maintaining the highest quality during cold storage. Another group of coating films was prepared from polyvinyl alcohol doped with silver nano particles at concentrations of 0, 25, 50 and 100 ppm. The coating films were applied on Hayani dates and the fruits were stored at 0ºC ±2 and 95-98 % RH. Different measurements were taken on edible co-polymers coating films as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Mechanical properties, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Antimicrobial activity of PVA/CS/TA Blends. And Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), UV visible and High Resolution Transmission Electronic Microscope (HRTEM) for polyvinyl alcohol + silver nano particles coating films.