Effect of Packaging & Storage Duration to RGL Mandarin Citrus Quality

Abstract RGL Mandarin Citrus ( Citrus reticulata Blanco) have economic value and widely developed in Sumatra region such as Bengkulu Province. RGL Mandarin Citrus shelf life at room temperature is very short. Packaging and cold storage are common used to extend fruit shelf life The aim of this study was to examine the influence of packaging variations on the quality of RGL Mandarin Citrus during storage. The experiment was conducted using two factors in a completely randomized design (CRD) factorial with 4 replications. The treatments were : 1) variations of packaging that consisted of wrapped plastic as a cover and polyethylene plastic packaging and 2) storage duration. Every five days, on days 0 through 60, observations were made regarding the amount of weight lost, diameter height & width, juice content, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, and vitamin C content. The result showed that combination of packaging and storage time does not show any interaction with the entire packaging variable, but there is an independent effect of treatment on some variables. The storage period has a tangible effect on the entire observation variable except the width of the diameter. Meanwhile, packaging treatment has no tangible impact on the juice and vitamin C level variables, but has a significant impact on all observations at the 95% confidence level (P<0.05). Then, RGL Mandarin Citrus can be stored for up to 60 days at 10°C with cling wrap packaging. Due to juice criteria, it can only be stored for a maximum of 30 days. In the meantime, RGL Mandarin Citrus should only be stored for up to 45 days according to the vitamin C quality standard.