The shelf life of peeled, sliced and polyethylene packed papaya slices when stored at room when kept at 8–10 C, do
not stay more than 8–10 days. Therefore, many alternate approaches were followed for papaya preservation. The blanching treatment for microbial reduction and browning inhibition
affects freshness and taste. Cut papaya undergoes enzymatic
browning which can be inhibited by dipping in sodium bisulfite solution. Citric acid is used to reduced the pH content.
Restaino et al. (1982) reported that citric acid increases the
inhibitory properties of potassium sorbate at pH 5.5 against
several common deteriorative microorganisms. Huhtanen et
al. (1983) reported an increase of inhibitory properties of
potassium sorbate against Clostridium botulinum in the presence of this acid.
The objective of this work was to develop a shelf stable high
moisture papaya by hurdle technology and to increases the
shelf-life of the product. This process is based on mild heat
treatment (blanching), osmotic dehydration and the use of
preservatives which helps in slight reduction of a
w,
a decrease
in pH.