In order to reduce microbial loads and prevent souring of Mozafati Rutab (fresh dates) during storage, antimicrobial agents were employed. One kilogram of Rutab in each of the triplicates were dipped for one minute in either plain water as control or solutions of permitted levels of sorbic acid (0.07%), propionic acid (0.25%) or sodium diacetate (0.2%). After drainage and surface drying by application of hot air, dates were packed in two types of packaging materials (cardboard boxes with cellophane lining and polyethylene terephthalate films) and stored for four months in ordinary storage room (without refrigeration). Results indicated that all the three tested antimicrobial agents were significantly effective in reducing microbial loads and total acidity without having any deteriorating effect on organoleptic quality of the date samples.Polyethylene terephthalate films, because of their strength, transparency and prevention of moisture loss in dates were significantly effective in preserving Rutab as compared to carboard boxes. Treating Mozafati Rutab with 0.2% solution of sodium diacetate and packing it in polyethylene terephthalate films was the most effective method in maintaining quality of dates during storage.
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