Simple Kumar1*and Tripti Bhatnagar2
1Noida International University, Greater Noida, U.P.
2Codon Biotech Pvt. Ltd, Noida, U.P.
*Email: simple.bt28@gmail.com
Received-31.05.2015, Revised-08.06.2015
Abstract: The present study was carried out to evaluate the ability of Aloe vera gel based herbal coatings to reduce the loss of post harvest fruit quality in banana. Unripe green banana fruits were coated with different formulations of Aloevera gel. The coated and uncoated fruits were stored at 250C in polypackaging and in open as well for 12 days. Visual, Firmness and sensory characteristics and marketability were analysed at regular intervals during the storage period. The coated fruits survived the storage period for 12 days in polybags and 10 days in open condition whereas all the uncoated controls decayed within 4-5 days in open and polybags respectively. The coatings controlled the PLW, ripening process and decay to a great extent and there by extended the shelf life and quality of the fruits. The effectiveness of AG coating was found to improve on incorporation of citric acid. This is probably the first study on utilizing an herbal alternative to extend the shelf life of banana.
Keywords: Aloe vera, Banana, Coating, Shelf life, Polypackaging
REFERENCES
Abirami, L.S.S. (2009). Efficacy of chitosan and natural plant extracts on the growth of selected fungal pathogens and control of anthracnose disease of papaya .M.Sc thesis, Sri Sathya Sai University, Prashanthi Nilayam.
Arowora, K.A., Williams, J.O., Adetunji, C.O., Fawole, O.B., Afolayan, S.S., Olaleye, O.O., Adetunji, J.B. and Ogundele, B.A. (2013). Effects of Aloe vera coatings on quality characteristics of Oranges stored under cold storage. Greener Journal of Agricultural Sciences; Vol. 3 (1), pp. 39-47
Asghari, M., Ahadi, L. and Riaie, S. (2013). Effect of salicylic acid and edible coating based Aloe vera gel treatment on storage life and postharvest quality of grape (Vitisvinifera L. cv. GizelUzum). Intl. J. Agri. Crop Sci. Vol. 5 (23), 2890- 2898.
Asghari, M., Yusof, H., Rasmi and Mohammadzadeh, A. (2013). Influence of postharvest nitric oxide and Aloe vera gel application on Sweet Cheery quality indices and storage life. International Journal of Agronomy and Plant Production. Vol., 4 (9), pp. 2393-2398,
Athmaselvi, K., A., Sumitha, P. and B. Revathy (2013).Development of Aloe vera based edible coating for tomato. Int. Agrophys, pp 369-375
Devlieghere, F., Vermeullen, A. and Debevere J.C. (2004). Antimicrobial activity, interactions with food components and applicability as a coating on fruits and vegetables, Food Microbiol, pp 703-714.
Habeeb, F., Shakir, E., Bradbury, F. and Cameron, P. (2007). Screening methods used to determine the antimicrobial properties of Aloe vera inner gel. Methods, 42 pp. 315-320.
Marpudi, S. L., Abirami, L. S. S., Pushkala, R. and Srividya, N. (2011). Enhancement of storage life and quality maintenance of papaya fruits using Aloe vera based antimicrobial coating. Indian Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. (10) pp. 83-89.
Martinez-Romero, D. L., ,Alburquerque, N., Valverde, J., M., Guillen, F. and Castillo, S. (2006). Post harvest cherry quality and safety maintenance by Aloe vera treatment: A new edible coating. Post Harvest Biol Technol., pp. 93-100.
Vargas, M., Pastov, C., Chirau, A., Clements, M. C., Julian, D and Gunzalez, M.C. (2008). Recent advances in edible coatings for fresh and minimally processed fruits. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. pp 496-511.