Work

Effects of preharvest applications of chemicals and storage conditions on the physico-chemical characteristics and shelf life of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of preharvest sprays of chemicals and evaporative cooling (ZECC) on the postharvest physico-chemical quality and shelf life of tomatoes. The experiment was conducted using a combination of ten preharvest sprays of chemicals (chitosan (0.1%), chitosan (0.3%), chitosan (0.5%), salicylic acid (SA) (0.015%), SA (0.03%), SA (0.045%), calcium chloride (CaCl 2 ) (1%), CaCl 2 (3%), CaCl 2 (5%) and control) and two storage conditions (ambient environment storage and ZECC). The design of the experiment was completely randomized design with three replications. Data were collected from tomato samples ( Solanum lycopersicum L . cv. ARP tomato D2) on four days interval. The result showed that all physico-chemical quality indicators were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) affected by both preharvest sprays and storage conditions. CaCl 2 (5%) sprays extended the shelf life of tomato by 6 days in ZECC and 11 days in ambient storage compared to the control. The highest concentration of CaCl 2 and SA sprays minimized PLW and maintained fruit marketability compared to the control. The firmness of tomatoes was better retained with the sprays of SA (0.045%) in both storage conditions. CaCl 2 (5%), SA (0.045%) and chitosan (0.5%) sprays retained the titratable acidity by 42.86%, 47.62% and 33.33%, respectively compared to the control inside ZECC storage. At the end of storage period, the highest TSS was observed on tomatoes sprayed with SA (0.03%) followed by chitosan (0.1%) and chitosan (0.3%) . The lycopene contents were lower with sprays of SA (0.045%), SA (0.03%), CaCl 2 (3%), CaCl 2 (5%) and chitosan (0.1%) stored inside ZECC indicating the effectiveness of preharvest sprays in delaying lycopene accumulation. Moreover, the AA contents of tomatoes sprayed with CaCl 2 (5%), SA (0.045%) and chitosan (0.1%) were higher by 34.10%, 38.19% and 23.84%, respectively compared to the control. The result indicated that combining preharvest chemical sprays and ZECC storage is important to maintain the physico-chemical quality and shelf life of tomatoes.

Source: Heliyon

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09494

Authors: Aleminew Tagele, Kebede Woldetsadik, Fikreyohannes Gedamu, Mokula Mohammed Rafi

Institutions: Haramaya University, University of Gondar

Language: English

Topic: Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life Management

Subfield: Plant Science

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Zero hunger

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,950