ClingWrap Film Extends Mangosteen’s Shelf Life
In a study titled Modified Atmosphere Packaging of Mangosteen by Dr. Miguella Anabesa of the Department of Agriculture-Southern Mindanao Integrated Research Center, it was found that by wrapping mangosteen fruits with ClingWrap and then placing these in either cartons or crates or bamboo baskets (kaings), its 3- to 5day shelf life would be prolonged to 14 days.
It was also noted that wrapped fruits harvested at 110 days from anthesis, or while they are still greenish, have the longest shelf life of 8-14 days. Dr. Anabesa observed, too that wrapping fruits at the onset of maturity appeared to be effective in removing astringency or the dry, puckering, sandpapery sensation in the mouth (mapakla) that is caused by tannins, which are found in many fruits. “Film wrapping did not affect the flavor and aroma” of the fruits, she added.
Wrapping fruits also prevents weight loss because the film is an effective barrier to moisture loss. Dr. Anabesa said that “after five days under ambient conditions, the usual shelf life of mangosteen, weight loss of wrapped fruits was 4.04%-5.64%.” This is lower compared with the weight loss of unwrapped fruits.
“The extent of water loss appeared to have influenced the hardening as there is no barrier to water loss, and in the process of losing moisture, the fruit surface cells become dry,” she explained.
