Performance evaluation of the DOST gable top autobottom fruit box as carrier box for mango, apple guava, and grape fruits during the distribution to Jaro, Iloilo City

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) gable top auto-bottom fruit box as a carrier box in terms of its protective as well as utility and convenience function.The Guimaras Fresh Mango Box, which is the current fruit box commercially used here in Western Visayas, was used to compare the results to find out if the DOST fruit box will also have the same amount of it’s physical strength as a carrier box in protecting and preserving the physical properties of the fruits. The study consisted of five phases, namely preparation phase, trundling phase, performance testing phase, survey phase, and final phase. During the trundling and performance testing, DOST fruit box offered a much greater protection for mangoes, apple guavas and grapes which produced less number of damages compared to the Guimaras fresh mango box. Results from the survey also showed that both the fruit vendors and the consumers preferred the DOST Gable Top Autobottom fruit box when it came to convenience and utility but it scored lower compared to the Guimaras Fresh Mango Box when it came to graphics design category. Therefore, the DOST gable top autobottom fruit box was found to be the better fruit carrier box for mangoes, apple guavas, and grapes in terms of its protective and utility function.