Retail Packaging Design For Avocado Fruits Labeled Ripe Indicator

The level of ripeness the avocado was not so easy to know because it not marked with change in color. Consumers generally press the fruit to ensure the level of maturity, therefore a ripe indicator label is needed so that the fruit is not damaged due to frequent pressure. The purpose of this research was to design avocado retail packaging which is equipped with an indicator of fruit maturity. The research was carried out in the following stages: preparation of avocados, manufacture of color indicator matrices made from KMnO4 and Molybdate, selection of retail packaging for 2 pieces per package, application of indicator labels on packaging, storage at room temperature (T1) and low temperature (T2). The packaging is given perforation (P1) and without perforation (P2). Parameters measured were respiration rate, color change of indicator label, hardness and TPT (Total Dissolved Solids) of avocado. The packaging is designed for two avocados weighing 0.5 kg per pack. The packaging material is made of mica plastic measuring 18 x 9 x 9 cm, given perforations of 4 pieces with a diameter of 0,8 mm. The volume of packaging is 1458 cm3 and the volume of fruit is 553.18 cm3. The indicator label measuring 2 x 1 cm is placed in the packaging lid. Ethylene produced by avocado can change the color of the indicator label on the packaging. Packaging perforations makes the color change of the indicator label more noticeable. On the packaging without perforation there is moisture retained on the indicator label making the label wet and torn. The changes in the oHue value of the indicator label is more correlated with the changes in hardness (r = -0.42) than the value of the TPT (r = 0.071). At low storage temperatures (13±2°C), the correlation of oHue value with hardness was very low (r = 0.059). From these results, it is recommended that the application of avocado ripeness indicator labels should be used at room temperature storage with perforated packaging.