Jamun or Indian blackberry (Syzygium cumini L.) is a minor and highly perishable fruit enriched with flavonoids, essential oils, anthocyanins phenolic compounds and other antioxidants. The quantitative and qualitative losses in this seasonal fruit are tremendous and can be reduced by appropriate packaging and storage techniques which have not been applied hitherto. This study was undertaken to extend the shelf-life as well as to assess the biochemical, microbiological and physiological changes in jamun fruit under perforated and non-perforated modified atmosphere (MA) conditions. Fruits were stored under differential MA in macro-perforated (1 and 2 perforations, 0.3 mm dia. each) and non-perforated polypropylene (PP) film packages (Thickness: 35 μm, bag area: 0.036 m 2 ) at 5°C and 75% relative humidity (RH) for 23 days. Sachets containing white silica gel beads were placed inside all the packages to check water accumulation, if any. Different physiological, biochemical and microbiological characteristics which generally affect the postharvest life of the produce were monitored during the storage period. Results of the study suggested most of the subjectively and objectively determined qualitative parameters to be retained satisfactorily under macro-perforated packaging treatments. Further, the microbiological analysis, surmised that the fruits could be stored for long term using packages with 1 macro-perforation.Keywords Antioxidants . Jamun . Modified atmosphere packaging . Headspace . Pigments . Microbial load Indian blackberry (Syzygium cumini L.), commonly known as jamun is a minor and under-utilised tree-fruit of Indian subcontinent. The plant belongs to Myrtaceae family and grows naturally in clayey loamy soil in tropical as well as in sub-tropical zones of Indo-gangetic plains. These species are reported to be very rich in tannins, flavonoids, essential oils, anthocyanins and other phenolic constituents (Sharma et al. 2003;Reynertson et al. 2008). The purple coloured fruits are available abundantly during summer season for a short span of time, causing a seasonal glut. Jamun contains 19.7% carbohydrates, 0.7% proteins, 0.02% calcium, 0.1% fat, 0.01% phosphorous, 0.4% mineral matter, 0.1% iron and 0.9% fiber (Singh et al. 1967;Benherlal and Arumughan 2007). Besides, they contain anthocyanins which are the most important and widespread groups of colouring matters in plants. These intensely coloured water soluble pigments are responsible for nearly all colours in leaves, petals and fruits of higher plants. Jamun fruits and seeds are sweet, acrid and sour and they are used for treatment and control of diabetes, diarrhoea and ringworm. It is also reported to be a blood pressure regulator (Bhargava et al. 1968). Jamun trees are available around parks, on roadsides, on avenues and are good windbreakers. On account of its unorganised farming, consolidated information regarding its area and production in India is apparently not available. The fruits are highly perishable and are sold by the roadside vend...