International Journal of Horticulture, 2017, Vol.7, No.13, 106-114
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reported that moisture loss of a single bruised apple may be increased by as much as 400% compared to that of an
intact apple.
Table 1 Effect of packaging materials on PLW, total damage, spoilage and acceptable damage of Golden Delicious apple fruits
during transportation and subsequent storage for one month at Bheri cold store,
Kohalpur, Banke, Nepal
for two consecutive years
(2013-2014)
Types of CFB box PLW
(%)
Total
damage
(%)
Spoilage
(%)
Acceptable damage
(%)
Equivalent loss
(%)
Total
postharvest
loss (%)
5 ply 140 psi CFB 2.6
11.2
5.1
6.1
3.1
10.8
5 ply 160 psi CFB 2.5
10.0
4.7
5.3
2.7
9.8
5 ply 180 psi CFB 2.4
9.6
4.2
5.4
2.7
9.2
7 ply 140 psi CFB 2.3
9.4
3.4
6.0
3.0
8.7
7 ply 160 psi CFB 2.2
8.7
3.1
5.6
2.8
8.0
7 ply 180 psi CFB 2.1
7.7
2.4
5.3
2.7
7.2
7 ply FDD CFB 3.0
19.5
10.4
9.1
4.6
18.0
3 ply Beer Carton 4.6
25.5
13.9
11.7
5.8
24.2
F- test
***
***
***
LSD (P< 0.05)
0.25 1.21
1.11
CV (%)
13.5 13.1
25.9
3.2 Total damage, spoilage loss, acceptable damage, equivalent loss and total postharvest loss
Total number of damaged fruits among the tested CFB cartons due to bruising, scaring and spoilage during
transportation and storage was highly significant (Table 2). Minimum number of damaged fruits (Bruised +
spoiled) was observed in 7 ply 180 psi CFB boxes (7.7%) followed by 7 ply 160 psi CFB boxes (8.7%) while
maximum in 3 ply Beer cartons (25.5%). Likewise, minimum spoilage loss or unacceptable damage (2.4%) was
observed in 7 ply 180 psi CFB boxes followed by 7 ply 160 psi CFB boxes (3.1%) while maximum in 3 ply Beer
cartons (13.9%). Minimum acceptable or partially damaged fruits were observed (5.3%) in 5 ply 180 psi CFB
boxes/7 ply 180 psi CFB boxes while maximum (11.7%) in 3 ply Beer cartons. Maximum equivalent loss (50%
of acceptable or partially damaged fruits) was observed (5.8%) in 3 ply Beer cartons followed by 7 ply FFD CFB
boxes (4.6%) while lower in other treatments. Total postharvest loss was maximum in 3 ply Beer cartons (24.2%)
followed by 7 ply FFD CFB boxes (18.0%) while minimum in 7 ply 180 psi CFB boxes (7.2%).
Table 2 Postharvest losses of Golden Delicious apple fruits in existing value chain (EVC) and improved value chain (IVC) scenarios
in the mid western development region of Nepal during 2013-2014
Loss Parameters
EVC (%)
IVC (%)
1. PLW
4.6
2.1
2. Total Damage
25.5
7.7
3. Spoilage
13.9
2.4
4. Acceptable Damage (2-3)
11.7
5.3
5. Equivalent loss
[(price loss due to total damage/total price of whole lot) x 100]
5.8
2.7
6. Total postharvest loss (1+3+5)
24.2
7.2
Note: Damaged fruits were priced 50% lower than sound fruits
Maximum damages in 3 ply Beer carton might be due to inadequate cushioning and strength which increased the
damage to internal tissues during transportation. 7 ply CFB box of 20 kg capacity recommended by FDD was not
acceptable container for packaging of apple fruits because of high postharvest loss; inconvenience in handling
during transportation, storage and marketing; and unaffordable price for the consumers. CFB Box of 10 kg
capacity having 7 ply 180 psi bursting strength was easily accepted by the farmers groups, cooperatives, traders
and consumers in Nepalese context because of convenience in handling; minimum brushing, scaring, spoilage
damage; high storability, affordable price, better retention of fruit quality.
