Extending the shelf life of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) by GABA coating application (original) (raw)

2020, Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization

The decrease in fruit quality between harvest and consumption is an important area in agriculture. Edible coatings are harmless compounds used for covering the crops after harvest to reduce the metabolism intensity. γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is a good candidate because it is a natural substance produced by plants at stress conditions. Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) is a perishable fruit because it has a high content of water and nutritional compounds and also relatively soft texture. In this study the effect of GABA on extending the pomegranate shelf life at 4 ± 1 °C was studied. The treatments included control (distilled water), GABA (5, 10 and 15 mM) and the storage periods (45 and 90 days) with four replications. The results showed that GABA treatments had some positive effects on improving peel (skin) and aril (edible part of seeds) firmness, antioxidant activity, phenolic compounds content, scent and taste, freshness of texture and aril color indicators and they reduced ion leakage, chilling injury signs and malondialdehyde formation. However, GABA did not have a positive effect on weight loss. Total acidity in control and treated samples was reduced until 45 days but increased at day 90. GABA had the ability to maintain the fruit pH stable. Total soluble solids and vitamin C content were not affected by storage and GABA, and the effects on anthocyanin content were varied among treatments. Totally, the results suggested that postharvest application of GABA has the potential to extend the storage life of pomegranate fruits by maintaining some fruit qualities.

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