A Review on Effect of Post Harvest Coatings on Quality and Shelf Life of Guava (Psidium guajava L.)
Preeti Jha
*
Department of Horticulture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar – 125004, Haryana, India.
Satpal Baloda
Department of Horticulture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar – 125004, Haryana, India.
Sushil Sharma
Department of Horticulture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar – 125004, Haryana, India.
Sarita Devi
Department of Botany and Plant Physiology, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar – 125004, Haryana, India.
Savita Rani
Department of Horticulture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar – 125004, Haryana, India.
Jayanti Tokas
Department of Biochemistry, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar – 125004, Haryana, India.
Mihretu Yonas Barkessa
Department of Horticulture, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar – 125004, Haryana, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Because of their fast respiration rate, moisture loss, and microbial susceptibility, guavas (Psidium guajava L.) are climacteric, highly nutritious fruits that deteriorate quickly after harvest. Post-harvest coatings have become a popular method for preserving quality and increasing shelf life. Aloe vera (100%) increased shelf life to 9.97 days from 6.43 days in control fruits while maintaining TSS up to 11.41 °Brix. Calcium nitrate (2%) kept ascorbic acid up to 208.75 mg/100 g pulp, decreased PLW to 5.75% (compared to >12–21% in the control), and maintained greater firmness (16.42 kg/cm²). While gum acacia (10%) successfully maintained acidity (0.50–0.67%) and minimised weight loss (~5.60%), salicylic acid treatments reduced spoiling to as low as 3.69% compared to 8–18% in untreated fruits. By controlling respiration and gas exchange, coatings regularly postponed ripening, maintaining biological characteristics and lowering the likelihood of degradation. All things considered, post-harvest coatings greatly improve guava's marketability and storage stability, providing a viable and affordable method of lowering post-harvest losses in both ambient and cold storage environments.
Keywords: Post-harvest coatings, Guava (Psidium guajava L.), shelf life, quality parameters, physiological loss in weight (PLW)