Modified atmosphere packaging of pomegranate

Spanish 'Mollar de Elche' sweet pomegranates (Punica granatum L.) were stor ed at 2 or 5 degreesC for 12 wk in unperforated polypropylene (UPP) film of 25 mum thickness in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). Perforated polypr opylene (PPP) film of 20 mum thickness and conventional cold storage were a pplied as control treatments. Quality was evaluated after storage and after shelf life of 6 d at 15 degreesC and 75% RH. PPP at 5 degreesC was the bes t treatment for maintaining red skin-color of the arils at the end of stora ge. All treatments suffered a decrease in total anthocyanins content at the end of shelf life. After shelf life, UPP fruits had higher values of absor bance at 510 and 446 nm. MAP strongly reduced water loss and chilling injur ies without incidence of decay.