Comparison of bagged tomato storage characteristics under two different evaporative pad materials

Abstract

Tomatoes are important in the agricultural sector as they serve as raw materials for the production of value added products. The aim of this study was to compare bagged tomato (tomato in sealed Ziploc bags storage characteristics using two evaporative pad materials (charcoal and river sand). River sand and charcoal were used as cooling pads with storage under ambient conditions being the third treatment (control). Each treatment had two replicates. Temperature, Relative humidity, Cooling efficiency, Weight, Firmness and Colour assessment were determined throughout the test period and the results were subjected to Analysis of Variance [ANOVA]. Means were separated using DMRT at 5 percent level of significance. Result from storing bagged fresh tomatoes under both media showed that a cooling chamber filled with charcoal as absorbent material with uninterrupted water supply performed best in the storing of tomato fruit when compared to tomatoes stored under ambient conditions or with river sand as evaporative media. It is therefore recommended that further studies should vary the use of different absorbent materials with respect to availability, cost, and durability among others. Comparison can also be further made between tomato storage under bagged and unbagged conditions