Modified Atmosphere Packaging as a Tool to Improve the Shelf Life of Fruits

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is widely to preserve the freshness and extend the shelf life of fruits. It involves the modification of gases around the fruit inside the package. The gas composition inside the package is different from normal air composition and thus prevents the deteriorative reactions in the packed fruit and maintains the quality and improves the shelf life of fruit. MAP reduces the respiration rate, ethylene production, ripening, weight losses, physiological disorders, and decay-causing pathogens. It has also been beneficial for preserving bioactive compounds of fruits. The most common gases used in MAP of fruits are CO2, O2, and N2. Several types of packaging materials, differing in their physical properties such as 110permeability, have been used in MAP of fruits. MAP has been successfully used for whole fresh fruits, fresh-cut fruits either alone or in combination with other treatments.