evaluation of quality changes on ‘elberta’ peach during storage with modified atmosphere packaging (map)

in the present research, effects of modified atmosphere packaging (map) includingthree gas combinations and two packaging films (low density polyethylene (ldpe) andpolypropylene (pp)) on postharvest quality and storage-life of 'elberta' peach wereevaluated. the study was conducted as a factorial experiment based on crd(completely randomized design) with three replicates for 9 weeks. fruits were stored at1oc and 90% relative humidity (rh). packages with air combination considered ascontrol. samples were taken out each week and quality parameters of the fruits (colorindex, weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, ph, ethyleneproduction and tss/ta ratio) were measured after 24hr at room temperature. resultsshowed that fruits in the modified atmosphere packaging had better preservation ofquality characteristics. factors such as firmness, ph, ta, tss and tss/ta ratiomaintained better in ldpe film compared to polypropylene film. ethylene productionin polypropylene film was less than ldpe film. gas combination of 10% co2 and 2%o2 maintained a better quality according to firmness, ph, ta, weight loss, tss/ta ratioand reduced ethylene production compared to treatment of 5% co2 and 2% o2. inconclusion, in ldpe film with gas combination of 10% co2 and 2% o2, quality wasmaintained better and the storage-life of 'elberta' peach was extended for 63 days.