Abstract:

This study aimed to investigate the influence of packaging films with different thicknesses on postharvest quality
of mulberry. In this experiment, mulberries (Morus indica L., the Dianmian 1 cultivar) were treated respectively with five
packaging films, i.e., 5.4 μm polyethylene bag (P1), 12.75 μm polyethylene bag (P2), 15.55 μm polyethylene bag (P3),
32.7 μm polyethylene bag (P4), and 15.55 μm polyethylene bag with four holes (CK) and then stored at (5 ± 1) ℃ and 80%–
90% relative humidity. The results showed that all the experimental groups could decrease fruit decay indexes in comparison
to the CK, of which P4 treatment had the most significant effect. Besides, P4 treatment could significantly delay the increase
in sugar/acid ratio and maintain higher levels of phenols content and antioxidant activity in mulberries. The gas composition
in packages showed that P4 treatment could maintain higher concentration of CO2 (5.9%–6.9%) and lower concentration of
O2 (6.2%–8.5%) when compared with other treatments. It is thus clear that the effect of P4 treatment on mulberry quality has
an association with its higher CO2 concentration and lower O2 concentration.

Key words: mulberry, films treatment, storage, quality