July 19, 2024 | Scientia Horticulturae |
Research undertaken by the University of Hormozgan and Shiraz University in Iran investigated ways to enhance the postharvest quality of sapota, a tropical fruit characterized by its short shelf life. Due to its rapid ripening and high perishability, sapota presents challenges in storage and marketing. The study investigated the effects of various edible coatings—2% sodium alginate (AL), 2% carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), 10% gum Arabic (GA), and 1% oleic acid (OL)—combined with malic acid (MA), on sapota during 32 days of storage at 10°C and 90% relative humidity.
The findings showed that coated fruits experienced less weight loss and maintained better firmness compared to untreated fruits. Treatments also reduced electrolyte leakage, with MA and CMC/MA combinations being particularly effective in delaying malondialdehyde production, an indicator of cell damage. Additionally, MA increased catalase activity, contributing to better antioxidant defense. Coatings with GA/MA and AL/MA resulted in higher phenol and flavonoid contents, respectively.
Overall, the study demonstrated that edible coatings and malic acid significantly improved the postharvest quality of sapota, suggesting a viable approach to extending its shelf life and maintaining bioactive compounds during storage.