Postharvest storage characteristics of bitter kola (<i>Garcinia kola</i> heckel.) in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Storage of Bitter kola (Garcinia kola) as carried out by peasant farmers and traders in Imo State, Nigeria, was studied to evaluate the most appropriate storage material relative to the extension of its shelf life. Five storage material namely: polyethylene bags (PB), cement bag paper (CBP), dry plantain leaves (DPL), fresh plantain leaves FPL) and sawdust (SD) were utilized in a laboratory trial, based on results of a market pathology survey using questionnaires. The storage materials were significantly different at 5% level of probability. Questionnaire survey showed storage with polyethylene bags was the most popular. Palatability tests also showed storage with polyethylene bags to be the most acceptable.

Keywords: Garcinia kola, postharvest, storage material, Nigeria