PENGGUNAAN ARANG AKTIF KAYU BIDARA (Zhizipusmauritiana L) UNTUK MEMPERTAHANKAN UMUR SIMPAN BUAH ALPUKAT (Persea americana mill)

Abstract

Avocado (Persea americana Mill) is a climacteric fruit that is prone to physical and biological damages during storage and distribution. This damage, caused by the increasing of respiration rate, can be controlled by the modification of the fruit packaging atmosphere. One of the material that can be used is activated charcoal which is a safe and readily available material. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of avocado which was stored using activated charcoal produced from Bidara wood (Zhizipus mauritiana L). This study used a completely randomized design with single factor (activated charcoal variation) which consisted of a control treatment (0 g), 1 g, and 3 g activated charcoal and replicated 3 times. The parameter measured was weight loss, total soluble solids, vitamin C, and colour. The result showed that several changes occurred such as 4-7 g, 0.25-0.85 ^oBrix, and 6.4-7.6% of weight loss, total soluble solids, and vitamin C, respectively. The red and green color index was not significantly different, while the blue index did differ significantly with the increased of the activated charcoal amount. This study concluded that the use of activated charcoal from Bidara wood was not significantly affect the characteristics of avocado.