"In a growing market for fresh-cut produce, it is important to understand the impacts of shelf-life extending technologies and how they are perceived by consumers. In this study, the quality and safety of fresh-cut cantaloupe was examined when packaged in passive, low-O2, and high-O2 modified atmosphere packages (MAP), with and without drip-absorbent pads. To evaluate safety, growth of Listeria monocytogenes was examined over 9 days at 5°C, as well as package weight loss, pad weight gain, and headspace O2 and CO2. To evaluate quality, key physicochemical properties, the growth of spoilage microorganisms, and headspace O2 and CO2 were monitored over 15 days at 3°C. Also, consumer perception of absorbent sachets in packages of fresh-cut cantaloupe was examined through a hedonic sensory evaluation of package and product and asking their opinions of the sachets, change in fresh produce packaging, and willingness to pay for extra use life. The results show that high-O2 MAP held L. monocytogenes populations on fresh-cut melon significantly lower than passive or low-O2 MAP, while increasing redness and lowering pH. The combination of low-O2 MAP and drip-absorbent pads led to more drip, higher aerobic bacterial populations, and lower populations of yeasts and molds. For retaining quality attributes at beneficial O2 levels, the passive MAP atmosphere proved best, while drip-absorbent pads proved unnecessary. In addition, panelists in the sensory evaluation rated that they liked packages with absorbent sachets significantly less than packages without, but this judgment did not pass on to melon attributes. Still, most panelists were willing to pay for extra use life, showing that active compounds may be well received if delivered without sachets"--Page ii.
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