Packaging and Storage Studies on Tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) Pulp

Fresh commercial tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) pulp samples with initial moisture content of 20% (Sample-1) and 17% (sample-2) were equilibrated to 54 and 55% RH, respectively. A moisture content of 24.0-25.5% equilibrating to 64% RH, was found safe for the storage of tamarind pulp. The product retained its overall quality in aluminium foil vacuum (AFV), aluminium foil air (AFA), metallised polyester polyethylene (MPET), and polypropylene (PP) packages at refrigerated (4-6°C) and ambient (27°C / 65% RH) conditions up to 180 days studied. However, colour of the samples stored at ambient condition was less than that of the refrigerator stored samples in all the packagings. Under accelerated conditions of 30-40% RH and 40°C and 92% RH and 38°C the product showed significantly lower colour values than ambient and refrigerated samples. Tartaric acid and total acid values did not show significant differences irrespective of packaging and storage conditions. But at 38°C and 92% RH, the products in all the packages were discoloured, soggy and darkened. Sample-1 and Sample-2 followed almost the same storage quality pattern.