Impact of Chemicals and Storage Conditions on Post-harvest Quality of Litchi (Litchi chinensis Sonn.) cv. China

Mary Sumi *

Department of Horticulture, SASRD, Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University, Medziphema-797106, India.

Animesh Sarkar

Department of Horticulture, SASRD, Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University, Medziphema-797106, India.

C. S. Maiti

Department of Horticulture, SASRD, Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University, Medziphema-797106, India.

Akali Sema

Department of Horticulture, SASRD, Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University, Medziphema-797106, India.

S. P. Kanaujia

Department of Horticulture, SASRD, Medziphema Campus, Nagaland University, Medziphema-797106, India.

*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.


Abstract

The efficacy of chemical dips and different storage condition, alone and in combination were imposed in freshly harvested litchi fruit to investigate the changes of bio-chemical composition of fruits at regular interval for a certain period of storage. The pre-cooled litchi fruits after disinfectant were dipped for 60 seconds in lecithin (0.5% & 1%), Hot water, HCl (3%) with hot water, CaCl2 (1% & 2%), CaSO4 (1% & 2%), wax emulsion (5% & 10%), CaNO3 (0.5% & 1%), Chitosan (1% & 2%) and Kaolin (1% & 2%). The treated fruits were stored at room temperature as well as at 4°C & 90% R.H and the quality attributes were assessed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 days interval. Calcium nitrate @ 1% under refrigerated conditions recorded maximum ascorbic acid (54.50 mg/100g pulp), fruit firmness (1.75 kg cm-2) and the lowest acidity (0.42%). Total soluble solids (18.17°B), total sugar (11.27%) and polymeric colour retention with high anthocyanin content (48.94 mg/100g pulp) in peel was found in treated fruits with calcium chloride @1% at 4°C & 90% R.H even after 8 days of storage.

Keywords: Litchi, chemicals, temperature, storage, quality


How to Cite

Sumi, Mary, Animesh Sarkar, C. S. Maiti, Akali Sema, and S. P. Kanaujia. 2021. “Impact of Chemicals and Storage Conditions on Post-Harvest Quality of Litchi (Litchi Chinensis Sonn.) Cv. China”. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science 33 (19):17-25. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijpss/2021/v33i1930596.