Effect Of Storage And Packaging Conditions On Physical Properties And Carotenoid Content Of Mango Tablets

Abstract

Storage conditions play an important role in the physical and chemical stability of food tablets. Mango tablets were prepared and stored under controlled in either polyethylene or laminated plastic bags with relative humidity of 32% and 75% at temperatures of 4, 25, and 35°C for six months. Moisture content, water activity, carotenoid content, weight, shape, color, and texture were regularly assessed. Both storage conditions and storage time influenced the mango tablet properties. Combination of high temperature (35°C), high relative humidity (75%) and packaging in polyethylene plastic bags significantly increased moisture content and water activity of mango tablets. This led to changes in other properties, including decreased carotenoid content, diameter, thickness, L*, b* and hardness, and also increased weight, a* and fracturability. No significant changes were observed in tablets packed in laminated plastic bags (non-permeable to oxygen and humidity) irrespective of temperature and relative humidity. Results showed that mango tablet stability was influenced by packaging and storage conditions.