Effect of still air precooling and packaging on weight loss of sapota (Manilkara achras (Mill) forsberg) fruit during storage

An experiment to study the effect of still air precooling on precooling period and cumulative weight loss of sapota (variety Kalipatti) fruit during storage was conducted at Department of Agril Process Engineering, MPKV, Rahuri. during 2001–02. Four treatments of packing were adopted for sapota fruits. Three pre-cooling temperatures were adopted for still air pre-cooling. Fruits were stored at room temperature after precooling and packaging. The Washed and unpacked fruits took minimum time (120° min) to attain 9.6° C when pre-cooled at 0° C. The pre-cooling period was between 120 min (2hrs) for 0° c to 240 min (4hrs) for 10° C pre-cooling temperature. The fruits washed and packed in polyethylene bag showed significantly minimum weight loss (23.48%). The control (not pre-cooled) fruits showed maximum weight loss.