The Impacts of Clove Extract Incorporated Gelatine/Glycerol Based Edible Film Covered PET Packaging on the Ready-to-eat ‘Wonderful’ Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) Arils

Abstract

Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) arils are so perishable and have very short storability after extracting from the fruit peel. Therefore, several techniques have been used for the improvement of the arils’ storability. Among these techniques, edible films and coatings have a long history in food preservation; where most of the studies have focused on edible coatings. Therefore, present study aimed to test the performance of clove extract incorporated gelatine/glycerine based edible film covered PET packaging on the ready-to-eat ‘Wonderful’ pomegranate arils. Edible films were prepared in 4 different compositions, including; EF1: only gelatine and glycerine, EF2: gelatine/glycerine with clove extract, EF3: gelatine/glycerine with clove extract and some additives and EF4: gelatine/glycerine with only additives. Un-covered PET packages were then used as a control group. Studies were conducted with 35 boxes (each with 50 arils) in each group, and the boxes were stored at 4 ± 0.5 ºC and 90-95 % relative humidity for 14 days. Quality parameters were observed with 2-days interval. Results suggested that all of the four edible films are effective in preventing weight loss, mechanical damage, loss in sensory quality, reduction of soluble solids content, decline in titratable acidity and loss of ascorbic acid content of the pomegranate arils. The highest efficacy was noted from EF2 and EF3, which were incorporated with clove extract. According to the measured parameters, the edible films together with the PET packaging make it possible to store arils for 10 days with acceptable sensory quality.

Keywords

• ascorbic acid content
• mechanical damage
• minimal processing
• sensory quality