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TITLEPACKAGING OF BANANA

ABSTRACT

Post-harvest losses are occurring in the period between harvesting and consumption. Hence there is an urgent need to adopt proper post harvest management practices by adopting improved packaging, handling and efficient transportation methods. Selection of packaging material and properly packed banana fruits will remains healthy, safe and fit for consumption.

Structure

1.0 Objective

1.1Introduction

Definition of Food Packaging

1.2Functions of Packaging Material

1.3Packaging Materials for Fruits, Vegetables and Root Crops

Packaging Materials for Fresh Produce

Packaging Materials for Process Products

Cushioning Materials and Wrap

1.4Packaging for Banana

Special Care in Packaging

1.5Let Us Sum UP

1.6References

1.7Check Your Progress: Answers

1.0OBJECTIVE

After going through this RLO, you should be able to:

  • explain packaging of banana

1.1INTRODUCTION

India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. But increased production of fruits and vegetables will have significance only when they reach the consumer in fresh and palatable condition at a reasonable price. Due to heavy post harvest losses, there is a considerable gap between production and availability of fruits and vegetables to consumers. Post-harvest losses are occurring in the period between harvesting and consumption. Hence there is an urgent need to adopt proper post harvest management practices by adopting improved packaging, handling and efficient transportation methods.

Packaging is required to keep fruits, vegetables and root crops in good condition until it is soled and consumed. Packaging serves as an efficient handling unit to carry produce from field to consumer. The package should also protect the produce against rotting. Perforated polyethylene liners that allow gas exchange are used for some produce. The special treatments given to certain produces (e.g. sulphur dioxide treatment of grapes and in-package use of ethylene absorbents) must be taken into consideration in package design.

Packages must protect against possible damage. Various kinds of impact and other shocks must be taken into consideration in the design of the package and its fittings to minimize this risk.

1.1.1Definition of Food Packaging

Food packaging is defined as a mean or system by which a fresh produce or processed product will reach from the production centre to the ultimate consumer in safe and sound condition at an affordable price.

1.2FUNCTIONS OF PACKAGING MATERIAL

Two main functions of packaging are:

  1. To assemble the produce into convenient units for handling.
  2. To protect the produce during distribution, storage and marketing.

Packaging materials used to serve the following purposes.

  1. Serves as an efficient handling unit
  2. Protects from mechanical damage
  3. Protects against moisture loss
  4. Provides clean and sanitary storage
  5. To prevent pilferage
  6. Provides sales and service motivation
  7. Reduces cost of transport and marketing

1.3PACKAGING MATERIALS FOR FRUITS, VEGETABLES AND ROOT CROPS

1.3.1Packaging Materials for Fresh Produce

Packaging for fresh produce is of several types:

1. Basket made of woven strips of leaves, bamboo, plastic etc.

2. Sacks: flexible, made of plastic or jute.

i)Bags: small size sack

ii)Nets: sacks made of open mesh

3. Wooden crates

4. Fiberboard boxes

i)Solid fiberboard boxes

ii)Corrugated fiberboard boxes

5. Plastic crates

6. Biodegradable plastics

7. New innovations in packaging of fruits, vegetables and root crops

8. Pallet boxes and shipping containers.

Generally the fresh produce packed in jute bags or baskets and plastic crates for short distance transportation and CFB boxes and wooden crates for long distance transportation. The fruits and vegetables meant for super market sale are generally packed in polyethylene bags with 200 g and 500 g material.

1.3.2Packaging Materials for Process Products

Packaging for processed products is of several types:

1. Glass containers

2. Metal cans

3. Aluminium foil

4. Plastic materials

5. Collapsible containers

6. Composite containers

1.3.3Cushioning Materials and Wrap

The cushioning material used for packaging fruits and vegetables are dry grass, paddy straw, leaves, saw dust, paper shreds etc. The cushioning material should dissipate the heat of respiration of the produce. It should be free from infection so that it should not pass on the same to the fruit and vegetables. It is also important that the cushioning materials itself should be physiologically inactive. Moulded pulp tray, honeycomb portion, cell pack are used replacing the cushioning material. Cassia leaves as packaging materials are reported to be most effective in reducing physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage, retaining fruit colour and chemical quality.

One of the newest trends in produce packaging is the shrink-wrapping of individual produce items. Shrink-wrapping has been used successfully to package apples, mangoes and a variety of tropical fruits. Shrink-wrapping with an engineered plastic wrap can reduce shrinkage, protect the produce from disease, reduce mechanical damage and provide a good surface for stick-on labels.

The main advantages of film wrapping of fruits and vegetables are-(i) reduced weight loss extended shelf-life (ii) minimized fruit deformation (iii) reduced chilling injury (iv) reduced decay by preventing secondary infection of fruits packed in the same box.

PackingContainers should not be filled either too loosely or too tightly for best results. Loose products may vibrate against each other and cause bruising, while over-packing results in compression bruising. Proper filling along with cushioning can minimize rubbing damage.

1.4PACKAGING OF BANANA

Conventionally bananas are transported as whole bunches wrapped with banana leaves. Use of polyethylene film bags for wrapping whole bunches for transport is found to be most suitable to reduce wastage. For export purpose bananas are packed in telescopic type corrugated fibre board boxes of different dimensions with good ventilated holes. The banana hands packed into the boxes in the lengthwise manner with their cushion resting on the bottom of the box and fruit finger tips pointing towards the lid. Stacking of these boxes is done lengthwise.

Special Care in Packaging

All freshly harvested produce are living entities. Hence, they respire till their senescence. It is therefore, all the packaging or containers must be provided with enough vents so that the produce can respire appropriately and remains fresh and alive.

Check Your Progress

TRUE or FALSE

1. Packaging protect the banana fruit during distribution

2. The banana hands are packed into boxes for export

3. For local market the banana are sold in plastic crates

4. Corrugated fiberboard boxes are generally use for banana packaging

1.5LET US SUM UP

Food packaging is a system by which the fresh produce or processed one will reach from the production centre to the ultimate consumer in safe and sound condition at an affordable cost. It serves two basic objectives, i.e., marketing and logistics.

Adopting improved packaging, handling and transportation methods during distribution and marketing can successfully avert huge post harvest losses. The product requirements, the marketing system and the personnel preference will determine the type of packaging to use.

1.6REFERENCES

  1. Cornelis, C.M., Schuur (1988) Packaging for Fruits, Vegetables and Root crops. FAO, Food and Agriculture Organization of United Nations, Bridgetown, Barbados.
  2. Er. B. Pantasico (Eds.) (1975) Post Harvest Physiology, Handling and Utilization of Tropical and Subtropical Fruits and Vegetables. AVI Publishing Co.
  3. Roy, S.K., Pal, R.K. and Sen, Nita (2000) Packaging Technology for Fruits, Vegetables and Their Products. In Post Harvest Technology of Fruits and Vegetables. Indus Publishing Company. New Delhi.

1.7CHECK YOUR PROGRESS: ANSWERS

  1. T
  2. T
  3. T
  4. F