Effect of Storage Conditions and Packaging Materials on Quality Parameters of Curcuminoids Impregnated Coconut and Raw Banana Slices

Effect of storage conditions and packaging materials on quality parameters of curcuminoids infused coconut and raw banana slices were studied. Moisture sorption study was conducted for the developed products in selected packaging materials namely polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/low density polyethylene terephthalate (LDPE) and metallized PET/LDPE, under ambient and accelerated storage conditions for 90 days. The changes in physical, chemical and sensory parameters of the products were studied during the storage period. The results indicated that 40% relative humidity was critical for storage of products, above which the products required a good moisture barrier to achieve the enhanced shelf-life of the products. In accelerated storage conditions, the moisture content exceeded the critical moisture content for coconut and raw banana slices within 30 days and 15 days, respectively leading to product deterioration. At the end of the storage period the coconut samples packed in PP and PET/LDPE crossed the critical moisture content (3.05%) at ambient storage conditions, whereas, the moisture content of raw banana samples was within the moisture tolerance limit (11.5%). The curcuminoids retention, chroma and total color difference (DE) were significantly higher with better sensory attributes for products packed in metallized PET/LDPE compared to PET/LDPE and PP. Among all the packaging materials studied metallized PET/LDPE was found to be a suitable packaging material for both products. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS The present work deals with the effect of packaging material on physical, chemical and sensory parameters on the products (curcuminoids impregnated coconut and raw banana slices) infused with bioactive compounds. The study reveals the criteria for the selection of packaging materials as well as storage conditions for curcuminoids impregnated coconut and raw banana slices for the higher retention of bioactive compounds, besides fulfilling consumer desire, satisfying industry requirement and maintaining food safety.