Effects of different packaging materials coated with aloe vera extract on the microbial quality of african breadfruit flour (treculia africana) during storage

Abstract

Antimicrobials in food packaging are used to enhance quality and safety by reducing surface contamination of processed food. This study investigated the effects of Aloe vera- coated packaging materials on the microbial quality characteristics of breadfruit flour. Breadfruit flour was packaged in Jute bag (JB), Kalico bag (KA), low-density Polyethylene-lined Brown paper (LDPEBP) and they were compared with control. Samples were analyzed for changes in microbiological (total colony count and total fungal count) and moisture content during a storage period of 12 weeks interval during storage at ambient temperature of 25 ± 2oC. Packaging significantly (p< 0.05) affected the moisture content and microbiological of breadfruit flour during storage. The moisture content, total colony count, and total fungi count significantly (p< 0.05) increased as the storage time increased. The sample packaged in Brown paper (BP) were more acceptable than those in other packaging materials.