Packaging development to support export supply chain of mangosteen fruit

Abstract

The changes of the quality of mangosteen fruits for export market occur during the distribution handling from production center to the shipment port and then to the destination market countries. This research was carried out to develop optimum packaging design of mangosteen fruit for export market using corrugated carton material which enable to be stacked in maximum load. The result showed that compressive strength of C-flute packaging type with inner package was 474.5 kgf, while the BC-flute packaging type was 663.2 kgf. The maximum stacking was determined based on the capacity, compressive strength of packaging and safety/environment factor in ASTM D4269 standards. The designated packaging of C-flute and BC-flute type could be maximally stacked up to 29 units and 35 units of packaged fruits, respectively. Compressive strength decreased higher under storage at 13oC (RH approximately at 90-95%) than 8oC with 60-75% RH i.e. 40.04-41.64% and 6.75-30.31%, respectively. Mechanical damage symptom occurred in C-flute type with 2x2 and 2x3 inner model during transportation was broken calyx at 1.39 and 1.67%, respectively. Packaging model under different capacity did not significantly influence firmness and TSS but significantly influence weight loss.