EVALUATION OF MODIFIED STORAGE WITH CHARCOAL AND CLOVE OIL AS A BIOLOGICAL AGENT FOR OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus) AND BITTER GOURD (Mormodica charantia)

Abstract

One billion of the total population experiencing the yearning. Sri Lanka has about 30–40% of fruit and vegetables grown from the ground misfortunes in every year. Developing a storage is essential to consider on controlling of physical and microbiological activities. This research was conducted to develop a modified storage condition with bio control agent under different Relative humidity levels. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and Bitter gourd (Mormodica charantia) were used for the experiment. Storage structure was established in the faculty of Agriculture University of Ruhuna with fully covered high gauge polythene and divided into 4 sectors. As biological agent Charcoal pack (5 mg) used as absorbent and 0.4% concentration clove oil used as bio control agent was applied on each crates except control condition. Temperature of the storage room (21 °C ± 2 °C) was controlled by using air conditioner and three relative humidity (RH) levels were maintained by sensor guided automatic humidifier. Firmness, Brix Level, pH value, Weight loss percentage, Fruit decay percentage and visual quality rate were used to evaluate the vegetables before and after seven days storage. Treatments; T1 with 65% RH, T2 with 75% RH, T3 with 85% RH and Control were used with three replicates. Weight loss percentage got significantly higher value in control condition compared to other treatment. Okra in RH 85%, bitter gourd in RH 65% got high firmness. Both vegetables showed highest fruit decay and highest changes in control condition. Bitter gourd at RH 65% and Okra at RH 85% were observed low brix level. Okra in RH 85%, bitter gourd in RH 65% chambers were recorded better storage quality in visual quality rating test. Clove oil had positive effect on microbial control of okra but no effect on microbial control of bitter gourd during seven days of storage. Economically and practically acceptable RH level for storage was observed as 85% for okra and 65% for bitter gourd.