Bulk packaging for the maintenance of eggplant quality in storage

SummaryEggplants (Solanum melongena L.) for export from Israel are currently packed individually in PVC stretch film. Wholesalers however, dislike these wraps because they must be removed prior to marketing. We investigated alternative polyethylene linings and absorbent materials for packing during the storage of eggplant fruit. The best storage method involved packing several fruit (10–15) pre-treated with a solution of fungicide and NAA, inside an unperforated polyethylene lining bag, together with ten layers of tissue paper to prevent water condensation. This method prevented weight loss and maintained fruit quality during 14 d of storage at 12°C and an additional 3 d at 20°C.