Paper Title
IMPACT OF BOPP PACKAGING ON THE ON THE SHELF-LIFE AND NUTRITIONAL PARAMETERS OF CITRUS SINENSIS CULTIVAR BELLADONNA

Abstract
Citrus fruits are an important source of healthyphytochemicals such as ascorbic acid, flavonoids, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds [1]. The effects of packaging on the retention of Citrus sinensis cultivar Belladonnaquality during storage at 5°C and 80% relative humidity for 45 days were assessed. Fruits were selected for integrity and wrapped in biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) bags to be storage. The pH, total soluble solid, and colorimetric CIELab parameters were monitored [2]. The total phenol content (TPC), flavonoid content (TFC), carotenoid content (TCC), and ascorbic acid content (AAC) were quantified [3].The main flavonoids hesperetin and naringenin were also determined [4]. Oxidative damage is involved in several chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer[5]. For this purpose, the radical scavenging potential of oranges during storage was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) test [3].A slight reduction in both C* and L* parameters was observed in oranges packaged with and without BOPP (OBOPP and OC, respectively). A reduction in all bioactive content was found. After 45 days storage a TPC reduction of -18.22 and -7.88% was detected for OC and OBOPP, respectively. A similar situation was observed, also in AAC (-24.77 and -12.90%, respectively). The main retention of bioactive phytochemicals in BOPP packaged oranges is reflected also in DPPH radical scavenging potential with percentage of inhibition from 90.85 to 62.21 and 67.44% for OBOPP and OC, respectively at day 0 and after 45 days storage. A similar situation was observed also in ABTS test where the percentage of inhibition recorded after 45 days was 80.10vs55.78% for OBOPP and OC, respectively. Collectively our results demonstrated the efficiency of BOPP to preserve this orange cultivar during storage.