Evaluation of different types of packages for road transportation of papaya

Papaya fruits were packed in three types of packages, viz. Corrugated Fibre Board boxes (CFB), plastic crates and wooden boxes with paper shreds as cushioning material and transported over a distance of 150 km by road to assess the suitability of packaging materials in order to reduce the post harvest losses. The papaya packed in CFB box and plastic crate had lesser bruising damage (16.66% each), weight loss (9.86 and 10.56 g/100g), and had better keeping quality in terms of higher total sugars (10.21 and 11.50 g/100g, respectively), ascorbic acid (117.0 and 100.0 mg/100g, respectively) and total carotenoids content (303.2 and 372.2 μg/100g, respectively) as compared to those packed in wooden boxes on reaching edible ripe stage at ambient temperature (28–30°C), two days after transport. Benefit: cost ratio for road transportation of papaya in CFB box (1.44:1) and plastic crates (1.49:1) were found higher, compared to those packed in wooden boxes (1.17:1). The qualities of fruits packed in CFB boxes and plastic crates were superior to those packed in wooden boxes. Based on initial investment cost and returnability of packages, CFB boxes are suggested for long distance transport, whereas plastic crates are suitable for local markets.