Application of Arabic Gum and Essential Oils as the Postharvest Treatments of Le Conte Pear Fruits during Cold Storage

Abstract

The present study was conducted during 2015 and 2016 seasons on Le Conte pear fruits harvested at mature stage, to investigate the application of (10% w/v) Arabic Gum (AG), Jojoba oil (JO) and Moringa oil (MO) at the rate (100 %) alone on physical and chemical properties. Fruits stored at 0 ± 1°C and 85-90 % relative humidity (RH) for 105 days. A fruit sample of each treatment was taken out at the end of cold storage period and left at room temperature (23 ± 2°C) and 47% (RH) up to 7 days was examined for quality Assessments. Fruit physical properties (weight loss, decay percentages and fruit firmness "Lb/inch2") and fruit chemical properties (total soluble solids percentage and total acidity percentage were evaluated. The results obtained that, all treatments including control succeeded in preventing fruit decay percentage up to 30 days in the two seasons. It is worth mentioning that, Le Conte pear fruits were coated with MO with stands free from deterioration up to 75 days of cold storage period. Beside, fruits coated MO progress in reducing the percentages of weight loss and decay throw cold storage periods for 105 day. The rate of softening increased in fruits with increasing the storage time in both fruits coated and uncoated, but it was significantly declined in uncoated treatments. Moreover, JO coating was more effective in firmness retention compared to the other treatments. Followed by pear fruits was coating with MO and AG in this respect. Furthermore, all coated fruits enhancement fruit quality during storage periods. Finally, it can be concluded that coating Le Conte fruits by Moringa oil recorded successfully reduction in fruit weight loss, decay percentages, improving fruit quality and extended storage fruit life as well as stimulate marketing period (shelf life), also safe on environmental and human health.