Vol. 12(1), pp. 10-16. May, 2024. 

ISSN: 2384-616X

https://doi.org/10.14662/arjb2024050

 

Full Length Research

 

Abstract

The study examined the effects of locally sourced packaging materials on the mechanical properties and quality of watermelons and cucumbers cultivated in Delta State, Nigeria. Over a two-week storage period, fruits were subjected to either no packaging or specific packaging designed for each fruit type (mesh bags for watermelons and bamboo slat crates for cucumbers). Results indicated some changes in the mechanical properties of both fruits due to packaging. Packaged watermelons displayed a slight increase in bulk density (0.95 g/cm³) and a decrease in porosity (18.5%) compared to their unpackaged equivalents (0.92 g/cm³ and 20.5% porosity, respectively). Conversely, cucumbers exhibited a slight increase in porosity (17.2%) with packaging, contrasting with the marginal decrease observed in unpackaged cucumbers (15.8%). Although packaging had minimal impact on shear stress, normal strain, shear strain, and creep for both fruits, packaged watermelons demonstrated a slight decrease in uniaxial compression (5.7 MPa) and tensile strength (2.6 MPa) compared to the unpackaged watermelons (6.0 MPa and 2.8 MPa, respectively), whereas packaged cucumbers exhibited a minor increase in these properties (6.2 MPa and 2.7 MPa) compared to their unpackaged ones (5.8 MPa and 2.5 MPa, respectively). Notably, both fruits demonstrated a modest enhancement in bending strength and puncture resistance with packaging. Packaged watermelons exhibited higher bending strength (82 N) and puncture resistance (108 N) compared to the unpackaged ones (79 N and 112 N, respectively), while packaged cucumbers displayed increased bending strength (70 N) and puncture resistance (102 N) compared to the unpackaged ones (66 N and 98 N, respectively). Generally, locally sourced packaging materials showed promise in enhancing fruit quality. Watermelons stored in mesh bags experienced reduced weight loss (2.7%) and spoilage incidence (12%) compared to their unpackaged watermelons (3.2% and 15%, respectively). Similarly, cucumbers stored in bamboo slat crates exhibited decreased weight loss (3.5%) and spoilage incidence (8%) compared to their unpackaged alternatives (4.1% and 12%, respectively). These findings underscore the potential benefits of locally sourced packaging materials in enhancing fruit resistance to handling damage (bending and puncture resistance) and in mitigating weight loss and spoilage during storage.

 

Keywords: fruits, mechanical and physical properties, watermelon, cucumber, packaging

 

	Cite This Article As: Lucksyn, O., Ovo, E. (2024). Determination of Properties of Watermelon and Cucumber Fruits Produced In Delta State: Implications for Design of Locally Sourced Transportation and Packaging Materials. Acad. Res. J. Biotech. 12(1): 10-16