Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Fresenius Environmental Bulletin, cilt.24, sa.6, ss.2046-2051, 2015 (SCI-Expanded)
© by PSP.Dried fruit are foods with a long shelf life although several factors, including storage pests, may limit their marketability. Prior to the decision to phase it out under the Montreal Protocol, Methyl Bromide (MB) was the most extensively used fumigant to control storage pests, due to its efficacy and relatively low cost. The objective of the study was to test the effectiveness of two phosphine (PH3) concentrations (1000 and 1500ppm) under conditions of normal atmospheric pressure (760mmHg) and vacuum (50 and lOOmmHg), in order to develop suitable alternatives to MB. For inclusion in the dried fig industry, MB alternatives should, of necessity, be able to prevent storage pest problems via brief exposure periods, as well as preserve the fruit quality. In the experiment, the major quality parameters were analyzed after two months of storage under ambient conditions and compared with the untreated (0% PH3/ 760mmHg) control. The results revealed that the phosphine treatments revealed no negative effects on the sugaring index, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of the dried figs; however, they exerted a limited effect on the water content, water activity and firmness of the treated fruit. Both the phosphine treatments, under vacuum at 50 mmHg, and 1500ppm PH3 at lOOmmHg resulted in lower L∗ and C∗ values causing darker fruit color. Therefore, ECOFUME® treatment for 24 hours is recommended due to its low investment, operational costs and short exposure period.