Document Type : Research Paper - Post Harvest Physiology

Authors

• Leila Feryidouni ¹
• Abdollah Ehtesham Nia ²
• Hassan Moumivand ²
• Mohamadreza Raji ³

¹ MSc student of Horticulture, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

² Associate Professor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

³ Assistant Professor, Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Lorestan University, Khorramabad, Iran

Abstract

Introduction
Food safety is one of the important issues related to fresh fruits and vegetables. Most natural compounds are degradable and can be a safe compound for human health and the environment and an alternative to synthetic compounds. Research has shown that the combination of bioactive substances such as essential oils, plant extracts and nanocomposites increases the active effect of the coating as fruit packaging and reduces the rate of fruit deterioration.
 
Materials and Methods
In this research, physalis fruits were obtained from Khorramabad research greenhouse. Nanocellulose and pure carvacrol (extracted from Satureja khuzistanica Jamza ( were prepared from Nanovin Nano Polymer Company and GC/MS analysis from Khorramabad Pharmaceutical Company, respectively. Also, the combination of nanocellulose with carvacrol was prepared in the laboratory. The experiment was conducted as a factorial experiment with two factors in a completely randomized design with 4 replications. The first factor of material type in specific concentrations at nine levels (control, Car 0.3%, Car 0.6%, CNF 0.5%, CNF 1.5%, Car 0.3 + CNF 0.5%, Car 0.3 + CNF 1.5%, Car 0.6 + CNF 0.5 %, Car 0.6+CNF 1.5% and the second storage time factor was investigated at four levels (0, 45, 90 and 135 days). First, the fruits of Physalis were washed with distilled water, and then the extra leaves and damaged fruits were removed. The fruits were placed in the prepared solution for 2-3 minutes and after applying the treatment, the fruits were placed in a refrigerator with a temperature of 4 °and 90% RH.
 Results and Discussion
The results showed that the fruits treated with nanocellulose and carvacrol had less weight loss and higher tissue firmness. Byochemiucal analysis also showed the positive effect of the treatments on parameters, so that the highest TA and vitamin C and the lowest amount of pH were obtained in the combined treatments of nanocellulose and nanocellulose/carvacrol. Also, the treatments used reduced the TSS and fruit TSS/TA ratio of the fruits, and the combined treatments had the lowest amount. The nanocellulose coating prevents water loss and reduces the metabolic and respiration processes. Also, nanocellulose/carvacrol composite coatings lead to an increase in the pH of cytochrome oxidase by reducing internal oxygen, and this enzyme increases the rate of ascorbic acid decomposition. By coating on the fruit during the post-harvest period, the aging process of the fruit is reduced the production and effect of ethylene, reducing respiration and preserving the cell wall, which ultimately leads to better preservation of TSS. Therefore, any reduction in metabolic activities causes a reduction in fruit ethylene biosynthesis and action.
 
Conclusion
In general, the results of the research showed that the investigated characteristics of physalis fruit were influenced by the treatments. As treated samples, weight loss was less, pH, soluble solids and taste index were lower, tissue firmness, titratable acids and vitamin C were higher. According to the general results, it can be stated that the application of nanocellulose/carvacrol composite treatments, especially the Car 0.6+CNF 1.5% treatment, showed more favorable results than the application of each one alone in most features.
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Keywords

• Acidity
• Edible coating
• Nanocomposite
• Weight loss

Main Subjects

• H: Post Harvest Physiology