Comparison of Indigenous-Based Edible Skin Coating Materials (SCMs) and Imported Wax (Citrashine®) on the Post-Harvest Quality and Shelf Life of (Citrus reticulata Blanco) Mandarins

Abstract

Pakistan is the largest mandarin producing and exporting country across the globe. All the wax used by the citrus industry of Pakistan is currently being imported costing a valuable foreign reserve. The Post-Harvest Research Center (PHRC), Faisalabad, Pakistan prepared two edible skin coating materials (SCMs) as an alternative to the imported wax. Therefore, this research was devised to compare the effects of these indigenous-based edible SCMs with those of an imported one (Citrashine®) on the postharvest quality and shelf life of mandarins. The edible SCMs and Citrashine® were applied (under the current practices of the Pakistani citrus industry) to mandarins which were then stored at 52°C with 85–90% R.H. for 63 days. Weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids (TSSs), acidity, pH, TSS/acid ratio, total sugars, ascorbic acid contents, fungal growth and sensory analysis were conducted weekly with five replications for each treatment. The mandarins of all the treatments were found in fresh condition at the end of study. All treatments were statistically at par with each other regarding the aforementioned parameters. The results showed that both the indigenous-based edible SCMs can be a good alternative of the imported wax. These can save valuable foreign exchange for the country.

Keywords: Mandarins, edible skin coating materials (SCMs), Citrashine®, postharvest quality, shelf life

Cite this Article

Zulfiqar A, Arif AM, Ali MA et al.Comparison of indigenous-based edible skin coating materials (SCMs) and imported wax (Citrashine®) on the post-harvest quality and shelf life of (Citrus reticulata Blanco) mandarins. Research & Reviews: Journal of Food Science and Technology. 2017; 6(1): 6–14p.