Bishnoi A; Chawla HM; Shah MP

Review Article

Austin J Biotechnol Bioeng. 2017; 4(4): 1086.

Influence of Coating Developed from Oligomer Isolated from Lac Resin on Post-Harvest Quality and Shelf-Life of Peaches (Prunuspersica L.)

Bishnoi A^1,2*, Chawla HM¹ and Shah MP³

¹Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, India

²Department of Polymer & Rubber Technology, Shrof S. R. Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology, India

³Enviro Technology Limited, India

*Corresponding author: Anjali Bishnoi, Department of Chemistry and Polymer & Rubber Technology, Indian Institute of Technology and Shrof S. R. Rotary Institute of Chemical Technology, HauzKhas, New Delhi and Bharuch, Gujarat, India

Received: July 07, 2017; Accepted: December 19, 2017; Published: December 26, 2017

Abstract

Large quantity of fresh fruits is produced that never reach the consumers due to heavy post-harvest losses, lack of storage, transportation care & less acceptable quality. These losses are not only concerned in terms of revenue but it also concern in terms of health, life style and environment. To full fill consumer demand and environmental, several methods are being utilized to reduce these losses of fruits. Fruit coatings are considered as one of the widely used methods. This work investigates the effect of fruit coating developed from oligomer (P-104), isolated from lac resin on quality of peach (Prunuspersica L.) when stored at room temperature (38±2°C) and at 4°C temperature. Fruit quality was evaluated by measuring physiological weight loss, color and textural changes as well as microbiological evaluation at a regular interval of four days. When kept at room temperature, uncoated peaches remained fresh and microbiologically safe for 4 days only while shelf life of coated peaches increased to 12 days. Again the shelf-life of coated peaches prolonged to 24 days when stored at 4°C. These results showed that combine effect of coating and low storage temperature could improve shelf life of peaches, indicating that coating and low temperature preservation could be a potential method for fruits preservation. Thus, this study suggests that fruits may be coated and preserved at 4°C to ensure the health, life style, economic and environment by extending the shelf life of peaches.

Keywords: Prunuspersica; Coating; Color; Firmness; Shelf-life; Microbiological evaluation\

Introduction

It is well known that fruits and vegetables play a vital role in human diet as sources of calories, vitamins, dietary fiber and special nutraceuticals. Many fruits develop away coat on their epidermis as they mature on the plant but this natural waxy coat is not adequate to offer protection against water loss and high respiration rate that follow when they are removed from the living tree, it leads to the spoilage of these fresh produce. Such post-harvest losses can be reduced to some extent by increasing the wax content on fruit surface [1,2], utilizing low temperature technologies [3], efficient packaging [4], use of coatings [5-10], nanotechnology [11,12] osmotic dehydration and irradiation [13,14] etc.

The peach fruit softens quickly after harvest and leads to huge losses in the marketing chain due to over-ripeness. Post-harvest decay due to rapid ripening in peaches is the major factor that limits their shelf-life which poses a serious constraint for efficient handling and transportation [15]. Application of low temperature techniques have been determined to provide delayed fruit degradation by reducing its biological and chemical activity but these methods require refrigerated transport and storage tanks [16-19]. Koukounaras et al. [20] have also investigated the effect of short-term heat treatment on quality of fresh-cut peach. Intermittent warming has been reported to increase the shelf-life of firm-mature and firm-breaker peaches by 1 and 2 weeks, respectively [21,22]. Likewise Zhang et al. [23] have reported that self-defense capability of peach fruit was improved by heat treatment. Recently High Pressure Processing (HPP) technique has been utilized to achieve enzyme inactivation for preserving texture and color of minimally processed peaches. This research showed that higher pressure levels were more effective to inactivate enzymes and to preserve color than longer times [24].

Fruit coatings are used as carriers of antimicrobial compounds, color or aroma additives, anti-oxidants, or anti-ripening compounds [25]. Aloe arborescens and Aloe vera gels [26] carboxymethyl cellulose [27.28], 1-methylcyclopropene [29-31], sodium alginate [32], edible gum and calcium lactate [33] etc, have been used for extension of shelf-life of peaches. Specific fruit coatings for easily perishable fruits like peaches also provide improvements in arresting physiological weight loss, retardation of ripening, reduction of chilling and mechanical injury, reduced decay and plausible added shine or gloss to the fruits. However it has been observed that fruit coatings indirectly induce changes in flavor due to delayed ripening or as a result of anaerobic respiration with increased ethanol concentrations [34] and hence have to be carefully selected and used so that original texture, color and flavor of the fruits retained. The present study was conducted to assess the potential of a coating developed from a naturally occurring terpenoidal oligomer P-104. Experiments on evaluation of effect of coating have been conducted on storage at 4°C and at room temperatures in the month of June (38±2°C).

temperatures in the month of June (38±2°C). Experimental

Fruit source

Peaches (PrunuspersicaL.) used for the present study were purchased from authentic Agricultural Produce Marketing Cooperative. Uniform and non-damaged fruits were selected and they were washed with water and shade dried before treatment.

Preparation of coating and fruit treatment

Active ingredient P-104 was obtained from lac resin as per the patented process [35]. The purity of P-104 was analyzed by comparison of its FTIR, UV and NMR spectroscopy, molecular weight distribution and morphology of P-104 were investigated by Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC), and SEM, AFM respectively. Coating (O/W type emulsion) was developed from P-104 by mechanical stirring of 10 g of P-104 and 2 ml of triethyl amine in 70 ml of 100 mg/l SDS and final volume was made upto 100 ml with double distilled water. Uniformity of formulation was ensured at different intervals by following recommended protocols [36]. Peaches were randomly distributed into two groups. In both the groups, half of fruits were kept uncoated while the other half was treated with the coating solution by dip coating (with 2-3 minutes of contact time) method. One group of fruits was stored at room temperature (38±2°C) while the fruits of other group were stored in the refrigerator (4°C) for progressive assessments. Reprehensive scheme is mentioned in (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Schematic scheme of experiment.

    
    
    Figure 1: Schematic scheme of experiment.

Characterization Techniques

Scanning electron microscope

Glass slides coated with P-104 solution in isopropyl alcohol (by dip coating), was mounted on the stub and coated with silver paste to render a conducting surface to determine the surface topography of films formed by using LEO, 435 VP, scanning electron microscope operating at 20 kV and a working distance of 12.11 mm.

Atomic force microscopy: A glass slide was dipped in a solution of P-104 in isopropyl alcohol and taken out to dry subjected to analysis by Atomic force microscope (Digital instruments, Nanoscope III-A) to study the variation in surface topography. Since contact mode AFM operates by scanning a tip attached to the end of a cantilever across the sample surface it could monitor the change in surface which deflects the cantilever with a split photodiode detector.

Transmission electron microscopy: Philips CM-6 electron microscope operating at 120 kV was used for electron microscopy investigations. The morphological and the particle size in the nano particle samples and the Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) patterns have been examined. For TEM measurements, P-104 particles were deposited on carbon coated copper grids by dispersed in hexane ultrasonically and then lifted onto a fine mesh of carbon coated copper grid. The grid was then mounted on the specimen holder and examined under the microscope.

Physiological weight loss

Six fruits of each treatment (the same fruit during all the storage time) were weighed at the beginning of the experiment and at every fourth day of storage. The results were expressed as percentage loss of initial weight.

Firmness

For each fruit sample, texture was determined using a 2 mm diameter probe coupled on a TA. XT plus Texture Analyzer (Stable Micro Systems, Surrey, UK) interfaced to a personal computer. Penetration rate was 2 mm sec^-1 for 5 mm after contacting the flesh and results of firmness were expressed in N.

Color analysis

Color characteristics (L, a and b) were assessed using a Color Quest Hunter colorimeter (Hunter Lab, Hunter Associates Laboratories Inc., Virginia, USA to determine L value (lightness or brightness), a value (redness or greenness) and b value (yellowness or blueness) of peach samples. Twelve readings were obtained for each treatment from 6 replicates with 2 readings for each replicate by changing the position of the peach to get uniform color measurements. Measurements were taken at every fourth day upto 12 days for fruits stored at ambient temperature and upto 24 days for fruits stored at 4°C. A standard white plate (X =78.45, Y =83.16, Z =88.81) and a black plate were used to standardize the instruments. Color changes were converted to hue angle (θ) = tan^-1 (b/a). Results were expressed as hue angle (θ) and L values.

Microbiological evaluation

Plate Count Agar medium was used for all the experiments. The pH of the medium was adjusted at 7.0 ± 0.2 and autoclaved at 15 lb/ inches² pressure for 20 minutes. The medium was then poured into petriplates. Samples of 10 g of fruit pulp were blended and then added to 100 ml of 1% sterile peptone water at different dilutions (10- 1-10-8). Aerobic mesophilic microorganisms were counted by plating 1 ml of the corresponding dilution and the plates were incubated at 35°C for 48 h (Harrigan and McCance 1976). Experiments were done in triplicate and only counts of 30-300 Colony Forming Units (CFU) were considered. Microbial counts were determined by using standard procedure available in the literature.

Statistical analysis

Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) for each quality parameter with respect to coating and temperature of storage was carried out and presented in (Table 1). Differences among means were compared by L.S.D. test (P = 0.05) (Figure 1).

Table 1: ANOVA for various quality parameters of peach.




  
    Source 
    DF 
    SS 
    MS 
    F 
    P 
  
  
    Weight loss
  
  
    Treatment 
    5
    274.36
    54.7
    75.26
    0.0001
  
  
    Temperature 
    1
    63.11
    63.11
    86.56
    0.0002
  
  
    Error 
    5
    3.64
    0.72
    -
    -
  
  
    Total 
    11
    341.12
    -
    -
    -
  
  
    Firmness
  
  
    Treatment 
    7
    2.05
    0.29
    3.17
    0.07
  
  
    Temperature 
    1
    0.04
    0.04
    0.46
    0.51
  
  
    Error 
    7
    0.64
    0.09
    -
    -
  
  
    Total 
    15
    2.74
    -
    -
    --
  
  
    L value
  
  
    Treatment 
    7
    76.4
    10.91
    2.27
    0.15
  
  
    Temperature 
    1
    3.08
    3.08
    0.64
    0.44
  
  
    Error 
    7
    33.59
    4.78
    -
    -
  
  
    Total 
    15
    113.09
    -
    -
    ---
  
  
    Hue angle
  
  
    Treatment 
    7
    345.2
    49.32
    3.39
    0.06
  
  
    Temperature 
    1
    103.5
    103.58
    7.11
    0.03
  
  
    Error 
    7
    101.89
    14.55
    -
    -
  
  
    Total 
    15
    550.71
    -
    -
    -
  
  
    Microbial counts
  
  
    Treatment 
    3
    11.59
    3.86
    2.45
    0.2
  
  
    Temperature 
    1
    15.1
    15.12
    9.60
    0.05
  
  
    Error 
    3
    4.72
    1.57
    -
    -
  
  
    Total 
    7
    31.4
    -
    -
    -



Table 1: ANOVA for various quality parameters of peach.

Results and Discussion

Spectral data for the isolated P-104

Yield: 65%, decompose at 78-80°C; IR (νmax, KBr): 33438, 2925, 2853, 1714, 1640, 1454, 1375, 1252, 1158, 1032, 937, 521 cm^–1; 1H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO, δ in ppm) δH (ppm): 9.66 (s, CHO), 6.41 (bs, olefinic-H), 5.77 (bs, allylic-H), 4.74 (bs, CH2OH); UV (λmax, methanol): 226 nm.

Morphology of P-104

The surface topography of P-104 has been evaluated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) (Figures 2 and 3). It has been observed that P-104 particles were found to assemble uniformly throughout the deposited films on glass together with the spherical agglomerate formation.

Figure 2: SEM image of P-104.

    
    
    Figure 2:  SEM image of P-104.

Figure 3: AFM image of P-104.

    
    
    Figure 3:  AFM image of P-104.

Typical TEM micrograph of powder is shown in (Figure 4). The dark contrast in gray background indicated P-104 particles. A distribution in particle size was observed in the powder. A histogram of particle size distribution of this sample showed that particle size distribution of this sample showed that particle size was roughly 97 nm (Figure 5).

Figure 4: TEM image of P-104 powder.

    
    
    Figure 4:  TEM image of P-104 powder.

Figure 5: Histogram showing the particle size distribution of P-104.

    
    
    Figure 5:  Histogram showing the particle size distribution of P-104.

Physiological weight loss

In our study, the highest weight loss was determined in control samples of peaches while coated samples suffered a comparatively insignificant loss for both the samples stored at room temperature and at 4°C. Coated fruits when stored at room temperature showed 12.24% weight loss after 12 days of storage while the loss was found 20.78% for uncoated fruits after 12 days. At the same time when the coated and uncoated peaches were stored in refrigerator, the fruits remained fresh for a longer period of time. Physiological weight loss reached 11.9% for coated fruits and 35.12% for uncoated fruits at the end of 24 days of storage (Figure 6). Many researchers have reported that most important problem, during storage of peaches and nectarines is weight loss [37,38]. The lower weight loss in coated fruits as compared to control is supposed to be originated from lower rate of water loss in coated fruits due to partial clogging of natural pores with coating developed from P-104.

Influence of Coating Developed from Oligomer Isolated from Lac Resin on Post-Harvest Quality and Shelf-Life of Peaches (Prunuspersica L.)

Abstract

Introduction

temperatures in the month of June (38±2°C). Experimental

Fruit source

Preparation of coating and fruit treatment

Characterization Techniques

Scanning electron microscope

Physiological weight loss

Firmness

Color analysis

Microbiological evaluation

Statistical analysis

Results and Discussion

Spectral data for the isolated P-104

Morphology of P-104

Physiological weight loss

Texture analysis

Color analysis

Microbiological evaluation

Conclusion

Acknowledgement

References