Breadfruit, due to its highly perishable nature, requires effective post-harvesting practices to extend its shelf life for global transportation and consumption. Several methods have been developed and explored to achieve this goal.
Traditional Methods:
- Sun Drying and Pit Storage: Traditional methods like sun drying involve dicing and cooking breadfruit before drying it under the sun for about a week, extending its shelf life up to three years. Pit storage fermentation is another method where peeled and cored breadfruit undergoes a semi-anaerobic fermentation process in a pit covered with rocks or soil, creating a sour dough-like paste that can last for a year.
Modern Methods:
- Heat Treatments: Using heat treatments with water and air as a disinfection step has shown promising results in extending the shelf life of breadfruit without negatively impacting its quality.
- Controlled Atmospheres: Storage in controlled atmospheres with 5% CO2 and 5% O2 at 16°C significantly reduces skin discoloration and extends the shelf life of breadfruit up to 25 days.
- Semipermeable Coatings: The use of semipermeable coatings has been explored, which helps in reducing fruit softening but may cause off-odors and greater flesh discoloration.
Optimal Storage Conditions:
Studies recommend storing breadfruit at 13 ± 1°C with a relative humidity of 85–95% and minimal exposure to ethylene to prolong its shelf life.
Advanced Drying Techniques:
Recent advances include microwave-vacuum drying, which combines microwave and vacuum drying, enhancing the color, texture, and flavor of breadfruit flour. Other methods such as freeze drying, vacuum drying, spray drying, and tunnel drying have also been explored to improve the physical quality and shelf life of breadfruit products.
Packaging and Handling:
Proper harvesting and handling are crucial to avoid damage and increase the shelf life and quality of breadfruit. Breadfruit should be harvested at the optimal maturity stage, handled carefully to prevent bruising, and stored in well-ventilated containers.
For more detailed information on the post-harvesting practices of breadfruit, you can refer to the articles on Frontiers in Nutrition and The Breadfruit People websites【FRONTIERS】【DIRECTOR OF ACCESS JOURNALS】【BREADFRUIT PEOPLE】.