AN INVESTIGATION OF THE OPTIMAL PACKAGING AND STORAGE PROPERTIES OF PACKAGED GARRI

ABSTRACT: This study was on the determination of optimum packaging and storage properties of packaged garri. Samples of white and yellow garri were collected at a week interval. From umunya in oyi local government Area, Anambra state. The purchased garri with initial moisture of 9.3% for white garri and 8.65 yellow garri. The samples of white and yellow garri was aseptically weighted (2kg) into polythene bags, plastic bucket and sack bag. The packs were labeled and kept at ambient temperature of (30.0=2c) for 14day. The change in the sample moisture content, change in PH biochemist. The result revealed that the avenged moisture content of yellow garri package in he yellow garri packaged in polynthene bag (9.3%) and sack bag (8.2%) and also the white garri package in plastic bucket has lower moisture content (8.6%) polythene the moisture content and mould content were observed to increase with the period of storage. While the nutritional content and PH were reduced. Changes in the various sensory quality attributes such as colour, aroma texture and moldiness at the end o the storages four fungi species (Aspergillus Niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus fumigated and the Rlizopus  stolonifer) were isolated during the storage period in all the packaging materials the total viable fungal count was in the oder sack bags > polythene  bags> plastic buckets. On the whole aim tight plastic buckets were observed and recommendation to be the best packing material for garri for a long period of time in this study.