Impact of polysaccharide and lipid based edible coatings on storage life and quality of muskmelon (Cucumis melo) fruits during low temperature storage

Abstract

Climacteric type muskmelons (Cucumis melo L.) are highly perishable and susceptible to moisture loss and decay during storage and transport, and possess very short storage life under ambient conditions. The present study was carried out during 2021 to 2023 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru, Karnataka to study the effect of different edible coatings in combination with cold storage on various physico-chemical parameters of muskmelon. Muskmelon cv. Arka Siri was coated with different edible coatings, viz. shellac based (NISA, Ranchi formulation), sodium alginate (1%), chitosan (1%) and gum arabica (5%) along with control. The experiment was laid out in a factorial completely randomised design (FCRD). The results revealed that muskmelon fruits coated with shellac based formulation had least physiological loss in weight, lower respiration rate and lower ethylene production during storage at 10°C. The shellac based coating was able to maintain highest mean firmness and biochemical parameters such as total soluble solid (8.53%), acidity, ascorbic acid (4.66 mg/100 g), sugars, total carotenoids (2034.14 µg/100 g), total phenolic content and total antioxidant activity of muskmelon fruits and extended the storage life to 21 days compared to 14 days in control when stored at 10°C. Muskmelon fruits coated with shellac based coating were much appreciated for their appearance, flavour, taste and overall acceptability by the panelists.