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MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE PACKAGING (MAP) TECHNOLOGY

What is MAP?

Technology to delay ripening of respiring fruits and vegetables by increasing carbon dioxide and reducing oxygen in the atmosphere around it. Through this technology, fresh Philippine mangoes may be shipped to Europe and other international destinations at a more competitive prices.

Background

DTI’s Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) initiated the Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) project in 1992 as part of its campaign to boost the export earnings of the country.

MAP is a result of extensive research conducted by the Food Development Center (FDC) of the Philippines and Korea Food Research Institute (KFRI) from 1995 to 1998 before the zeolite-coated film was finally deemed fit for use.

The project was made possible through the funding support of Korea’s Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST). KFRI lead scientists, Dr. Hyung Woo Park and Dr. Dongman Kim facilitated this support from MOST.

In November 2001, a Memorandum of Agreement for the transfer of the technology to manufacture MAP film on a grant basis under a government-to-government agreement was signed by KFRI and Philippine representatives.

How does MAP works?

PACKING

Enclose fruit in a film that selectively restricts gas exchange such as packing it in carton boxes containing 4-5 kg mangoes per box.
A modified atmosphere is created in the box by lining it with a film designed to keep oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations in the headspace of the box between 7-10%.

Storage and Handling

Cartons are kept at 10C or 30C for storage after packing.
After storage, the MAP condition in the box is broken by removing the CE Film.
Fruits are stored for 22 days at 10 C and for 10 days at ambient.
Allow the fruits to ripen.
This takes 5-6 days for fruits kept at 10C and 1-2 days for fruits kept at 30C.

MAP TESTING

The Food Development Center of the Philippines made a research and conducted series of tests with the general objective to determine if MAP storage can extend the shelf-life of mango fruits to an extent adequate to expand and enhance its existing markets, approximately 30 days.

Specific Objectives

To determine if KFRI 30 CE plastic bags can be re-used to extend the shelflife of mango.
To test the effectiveness of other similar films, Local 30CE and Peak Fresh, as packaging material for MAP mango.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Loacl 30CE can be an alternative packaging material to extend the shelflife of MAP mango to 29-33 days.

Pilot scale testing using local 30CE film is recommended to validate the results of this experiment.