A study was conducted to assess the effect of storage parameters i.e. pectin coating concentrations and packaging materials on shelf life and quality of peapods stored under ambient conditions (17–22°C and 75–85%). Pectin coating of various concentrations (0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5% and 2.0%) were tried on fresh peapods in order to extend the marketing period. Coating was applied by immersion method. Coated and uncoated peapods were stored in open crates, LDPE, HDPE (100 gauge) under ambient conditions. The quality of stored peapods was evaluated on the basis of physiological loss in weight, colour, texture, decay %, chlorophyll content and organoleptic attributes at regular intervals. It was observed that 1.0% pectin coated peas packed in LDPE packages recorded minimum changes in the quality parameters as compared to 0.5, 1.5 & 2.0% pectin coated and uncoated peas, it was possible to extend the shelf life of peas upto 6 days with acceptable quality attributes.
Ambient storage, HDPE bags, LDPE bags, Peas, Pectin coating, Shelf-life
