Transportation losses in fresh fig (Ficus Carica L) fruits

The purpose of this study was to measure the damage to packaged fig (Ficus Caria L) fruits after transportation. The data presented in this study may assist farmers and package designers in selection of packaging materials to reduce damage in transit. Fresh harvested fig fruits at commercial maturity, free from bruises and injury were packed in packaging materials with CFB boxes of 10 kg capacity viz newspaper linings, paper shavings and polyurethane. The packaged fruits were transported to distances of 150, 300 and 500 km. After transportation fruits were observed for physiological loss in weight, TSS, firmness and decay loss. The results showed that the per cent of damaged fruits differed significantly with different packaging materials. As expected based on previous work fruit damage was found to be more in the CFB boxes with paper lining. The results showed that a minimum amount of damage occurred in CFB box with polyurethane compared to all other packaging materials. Decay loss of the fruits was also low in CFB box with polyurethane after five days of storage.