Effects of local storage practices on deterioration of African eggplant (Solanum aethiopicum L.) fruits

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of postharvest storage practices on shelf life of African eggplant fruits based on decay and water losses. A laboratory experiment was laid out in a split plot arrangement following a complete randomized block design with three replications. Three African eggplant cultivars (Tengeru white, Manyire green and AB2) and four post-harvest storage practices (perforated polyethylene bags, woven polypropene bags, closed paper boxes and on-bench storage) were used as main plot and sub-plot factors, respectively. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and means separation was conducted based on Student-Newman Keuls at P<0.05 using MSTAT-C statistical software. Results indicated that fruits stored in perforated polyethylene bags had significantly (p=0.001) the lowest water loss and longest shelf life though they suffered the highest incidence of decays. The decay and shelf life varied with African eggplant cultivars where cv. AB2 had significantly (P=0.001) the lowest decay incidence and longest shelf compared with cv. Tengeru white and Manyire green. Further studies are required to evaluate the effect of fruit disinfection prior to storage in perforated polyethylene bags on the shelf life of eggplant fruits.

Keywords: Modified atmosphere, Storage practices, African eggplant cultivars