Development of chitosan-glucose and chitosan-citric complexes edible coating to improve tomatoes post-harvest quality

Authors

  • El-Beltagy A. Professor of Food Process Engineering
  • Ayman H. Amer Eissa Agric. Engineering. Department, Faculty Of Agriculture., Minoufiya University, Shibin El Kom, Egypt
  • El-Sayed S. Biochemistry Department, Faculty Of Agriculture., Minoufiya University, Shibin El Kom, Egypt

Keywords:

Chitosan, Edible Coating, Tomatoes, Firmness and Weight loss.

Abstract

 

The effect of different shrimp chitosan molecular weights as well as shrimp chitosan complexes (chitosan-glucose and chitosan-citric) on the quality characteristics of the stored (at 7°C±2°C and 90% RH) tomato fruits (Lycopersicum esculentum) was investigated.  Coating tomatoes with high molecular weight chitosan (H.M.C.G) significantly improved firmness and weight loss.  The lowest weight loss was found in high molecular weight chitosan-glucose (H.M.C.G) treatment followed by the fruits coated with high molecular weight chitosan (HMC) and then uncoated tomato fruits.  Both molecular weights was clear on retarding the total acidity loss especially for stored tomato fruit coated with low molecular weight chitosan, while control tomatoes exhibited a larger reduction (p ≤ 0.05) in total acidity over storage.  Meanwhile, the increasing of cold storage time significantly (p ≥ 0.05) increased the pH in all uncoated and coated tomatoes.  Generally, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was observed in pH, titratable acidity and total soluble solids (T.S.S.) as well as sensory attributes among the tomato fruits coated with chitosan, chitosan citric and chitosan glucose.  Meanwhile, the fruits coated with low molecular weight chitosan had a higher (p ≥ 0.05) T.S.S. compared with that coated by the high molecular weight chitosan.

 

Keywords: chitosan, edible coating, tomatoes, firmness and weight loss

 

Author Biography

El-Beltagy A., Professor of Food Process Engineering

Professor of Food Process Engineering.

[Majored in Agricultural Systems Engineering.

Area of interest is Process and Food Engineering]

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Published

2013-07-02

Issue

Section

VI-Postharvest Technology and Process Engineering