Packaging of individual apple fruit is needed not only to improve the consumer preference but also to protect post-harvest quality during distribution and marketing. The effectiveness of polymeric shrink-wrap to individual fruit and 3 fruit in a tray-wrap was studied as packaging option for retail marketing. The shrink wrapped apples with 15 and 25 micron film were stored for 4 weeks at ambient condition (30-38ºC, 52-58% RH) and evaluated for physico-chemical quality in comparison to the apples having no wrap. The changes in quality was determined by visual observation, weight loss due to desiccation, change in firmness, titrable acidity, total soluble solids, water activity, decay, colour and sensory test. Unwrapped apples were found unacceptable after two weeks due to undesirable loss in physiological weight, colour and firmness; and shriveling of the surface of the fruits. The colour and firmness of the wrapped fruits remained almost unaltered during the period of storage. The study indicated that 25 micron shrinkable film performed comparatively better than 15 micron for wrapping of apple fruit either individually or in a tray of 3 fruits. Cost analysis of shrink wrapping of individual apple fruit and 3 fruits in a tray revealed that it was not more than Rs. 0.50 - 0.60 per individual fruit and Rs. 1.50 - 2.00 per tray of 3 fruits. The polymeric shrink-wrapping endows a safe protective coating over the fruit surface that facilitates extension of marketable shelf-life of apples by at least two weeks as compared to unwrapped fruits.

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