Packaging materials and their effect on ruscus quality changes during storage and vase life

The production and the market of ornamental plants have an international character due to the global demand. Long-distance shipping and storage technologies play a crucial role in this trade, as the delicacy of these products. This work reports on the effect of different packaging materials on the quality of ruscus during storage and vase life. Ruscus is an ornamental plant commonly used to cut foliage in the floriculture industry. Experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of different packaging materials on the postharvest quality of ruscus branches. More specifically, a compostable bioplastic derived from starch, namely Mater-BI, and two polymers of fossil origin, that is, cast polypropylene (cPP), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE), were compared. The study found that the use of LDPE and cPP preserved the quality of ruscus branches during long storage. In particular, weight losses of leaves were progressive in Mater-BI packages, accounting for a 42–47% after 60 d of storage at 4 °C. Conversely, no significant changes were observed in samples stored the cPP and LDPE packages, with a maximum of 1–3%. Electrolyte leakage was higher in cut branches stored in Mater-BI packages, reaching 62.7 or 84.2% in the two experiments. Longer vase life, after storage, was observed in cut branches packed in cPP or LDPE bags, reaching a minimum of 6 d after 60 d of storage and a minimum of 11 d after 30 d. The study concludes that the use of LDPE and cPP were more effective in maintaining the quality and aesthetic appeal of cut ruscus branches during storage and transportation than Mater-BI. These results suggest that this packaging solution could have a positive impact on the international market opportunities of the ornamental cut ruscus branches by ensuring the delivery of high-quality products to consumers.