Effect of modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) on health-promoting compounds, chlorophylls and antioxidant capacity of three fig cultivars (Ficus carica L.)

Effects of three biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) microperforated films of different transmission rates [3 (M50), 5 (M30), and 16 (M10) holes; Ø = 100 µm] on the maintenance of colour and bioactive compounds profile of three fig cultivars were studied in comparison with macroperforated film (5 holes; ø = 9 mm) during cold storage. Figs from ‘Cuello Dama Negro’, ‘Cuello Dama Blanco’ and ‘San Antonio’ cultivars were stored at 0 ℃ and 90–95% relativity humidity in the dark for 21 days; and were sampled at 0, 7, 14, 17, and 21 days. Skin and flesh colour, total antioxidant activity (both hydrophilic and lipophilic fractions), chlorophylls and phenolic compounds were measured. Results revealed that microperforated film packaging (especially M50) helped maintaining skin colour during storage, delayed senescence of fruit, and enhanced the concentrations of cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside (up to ninefold increase in the skin) and quercetin 3-O-rutinoside (2- to 20-fold increase in concentration in the skin, and up to fivefold increase in the flesh), the main phenolic compounds found in dark skin figs. On another part, this was the first time that lipophilic antioxidant activity was measured in figs, obtaining values between 0.25 and 0.61 mmol kg⁻¹ for skin and flesh, respectively. Obtained results were in concordance with other fruits studied by other authors.