Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

STUDY OF STORAGE CONDITIONS TO INCREASE THE SHELF LIFE OF MALTA (CITRUS SINESIS L. OSBECK) USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY

Rishi Richa, Sheshrao Kautkar, Anjineyulu Kothakota, Sanjay Kumar and Himanshu Choudhary

Abstract

In the present study, the storage life of malta is increased by application of the response surface methodology and experimental design for optimization of independent variables. A model was built up by using a boxbenkhen design for predicting and optimizing storage process parameter. Design-Expert software was used for developing the mathematical model. Statistical checks (ANOVA table, R2 value, model and Fvalue) were indicating that the model was adequate for representing the experimental data. Optimum values of process parameters obtained by using simultaneous optimization of dependent parameters were: 5g scavenger, 31.25 μ polythene thickness and 200ppm fungicide concentration for maintaining the quality of 4 month stored malta.