Suitability of bio-extracts with coating materials on physicochemical quality of tomato fruits (Solanum Lycopersicum L.) stored at ambient temperature

Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L. (or) Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is being a very nutritious and health protective food, are highly perishable nature. Its sensitivity to postharvest loss due to poor handling, diseases and physical injury limits its successful marketing. Therefore, simple technology is required to reduce the postharvest loss of this commodity. The use of edible coatings with bio-extracts appears to be a good alternative preservation technique to extend the mature tomato fruits. This study was, therefore, initiated to investigate the effect of using bio- extracts garlic bulba and capsicum incorporation with coating materials (maize starch and beeswax on physicochemical quality of tomato fruit stored at ambient conditions (temperature 15.5 to 20.2oC and relative humidity of 55.5 to 67.3%). The experiment was conducted using complete randomized design of two varieties (Fetane and Melkashola)) and six treatments. The tomato fruits were coated by dipping into solution for 3 minutes. The treatments prepared were on coating solution of MGE( 9.5% maize starch with 0.5% garlic extract), MCE (9.5% maize starch with 0.5% capsicum extract), BCE (9.5% beewax mixed with 0.5% capsicum extract), BGE (9.5% beewax mixed with 0.5% garlic extract), 10% maize starch without bio-extract, 10% beewax without bio- extract and control. The treatment means were tested at significance level of P ≤ 0.05. The effectiveness of bio-extracts with coating materials on physicochemical quality of tomato fruits were evaluated at three days intervals for 30 days. There was a significance difference (P < 0.05) between coated and uncoated fruits. All coatings delayed tomato ripening and improved the keeping quality parameters but best results were exhibited by 9.5% with 0.5% BCE followed by 9.5% with 0.5% MGE by maintaining the mature tomato fruit for 30 days. The study showed that the Fetane variety has maintained more quality attribute than Melkashola) variety during storage.

Introduction

Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum L. (or) Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is considered as one of the most important and known vegetables in the world. By weight, tomatoes rank second only to potatoes in global production of all horticultural produce of high yielding, better adaptability and multipurpose uses for instance, it can be eaten in various ways and in a countless number of dishes. And also eaten raw in salads or as an extract or sauce in many dishes and in drinks [1]. Globally, tomato production accounts 162 million tons from about 4.8 million hectares of land area [2].

This fruit is one of food sources rich in micronutrients that are necessary for health benefits include reduced risks of cancer, skin health and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, tomato is known for its outstanding nutritive and medicinal values and therefore grouped under protective foods [3,4]. Despite numerous nutritious and health benefits of tomatoes, storage life have being limited by several factors including physiological losses and senescence, biological factor, physical or mechanical injuries, and environmental condition. Uneven handling of tomatoes can also result in the damage of the fruit cell wall leading to softening, and increased respiration which results in faster fruit ripening and deterioration of fruit quality and reduced marketability of the product [5].

Kitinoja and Gorny [6]. Reported that fresh fruits and vegetables are perishables and their postharvest losses are estimated to be 5 to 25% in developed and 20 % to 50 % developing countries. Due to postharvest diseases and poor management system, it accounts approximately 20% of the annual world production of tomato fruit is lost, particularly those caused by pathogenic fungi losses in tomato fruits stored in poor conditions especially under high temperature [7].

Several postharvest interventions have been introduced to help maintain quality and extend storage life. These interventions include low temperature storage, edible coating, and modified atmosphere packaging. The combinations of treatments such as low temperature, coatings, low oxygen and high carbon dioxide storage and ethylene inhibitor such as calcium chloride treatment have been reported to have the potential to extend the storage life of fresh produce such as tomatoes [8].

In Ethiopia, growing and marketing of fresh produce is complicated by high postharvest losses in quantity and quality between harvest and consumption which is estimated to be in the range of 20-45% [9]. According to Mohammed and Afework [10]. The average annual postharvest of tomato is estimated to be 45%. This high loss is due to improper use of packaging materials, postharvest diseases, physiological factor, storage facilities and poor care during transportation such as by human labor, donkeys and mules, public transport and rented trucks [11].

As result, there is a huge gap between production and consumption of fresh produce in the country due to considerable postharvest loss. This is typically of tomato fruits and requires the use of different methods to reduce the losses. One of the methods is the use of coating materials on fruits and applying anti-microbial substances use of wax materials and starches for coating fruits have been practice quite for same time, but their use in combination with bio- extracts have not been tried for preservation of local produce. This study used for producer, wholesaler, and food processor at large level. Generally, the purpose of this study was to investigated the of use natural bio-extracts by incorporation with coatings materials to extend the shelf life of the mature tomato fruits at ambient condition.

Method and materials

Experimental location

The experiment was conducted at Haramaya University. The Haramaya University is located at an altitude is about 1980 metres above sea level, latitude of 9°26’N and longitude of 42°03’E. The mean annual temperature is 17oC with the average minimum and maximum temperature is 80C and 240C, respectively. The mean relative humidity is 50%, varying from 20-80% [12]. Evaluation of quality parameters including determination of physicochemical properties of tomato fruits. The storage experiment was conducted from October 24 to November 24, 2016 at Food Chemistry and Grain Science Laboratory.

Experimental materials

Two tomato varieties (Fetan and Melkashola)) were collected from Somali Region Pastoral and Agro-pastoral Research Institute. The fruits were selected based on physical attributes color, size, shape, absence of injuries, and freedom from disease. The selected fruits were transported to laboratory using clean purposely built plastic crates. Honeycomb, maize starch, garlic bulb, and Capsicum were purchased from local market in Harar city and transported to Food Science and Postharvest Technology Laboratory, Haramaya University.

Experimental design

A full 7 x 2 factorial design was used with two factors and three replications.

Preparation of materials

A fully mature green to breaker stage of tomato fruits were harvested and collected in plastic crate. While harvesting, proper manual harvesting procedure and technique as described by Mazumdar and Majumder [13]. Were followed. The tomato fruits were sorted, and graded by size. Then, tomato fruits were washed under running water and sub-divided into seven piles. 48 fruits in each pile and 672 of total fruit were used during storage period. All tomato fruits were disinfected by dipped in surface- sanitizer sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, 1 %) solution for 5 min and rinsed in water [14]. Then, the surface water was dried at ambient temperature before subsequent treatments.

The tomato fruits were dipped into prepared coating solution for 3 min. The treated tomato fruit was stored at ambient temperature. Then from each treatment, three fruits were taken randomly at three days intervals within 30 days of storage time for determination of quality [15-17].The quality evaluations of stored fruit were carried out. The tomato juice was extracted using juice extractor (Model:SL-1304 STARLUX, made in China) and filtered by cheese cloth and the pulp was used for the estimation of chemical quality of tomato as described in Ranganna [18].

Preparation of emulsion: Emulsion was prepared as described in Muhammad et al., (2008). 3.50 g of beewax was taken in 250 mL conical flask and melted at 70oC, heated continuously to attain the temperature of 85oC of melted wax. 4.40 g of stearic acid was added to melted beewax followed by addition of 1.50 g triethanolamine (TEA) by using magnetic stir. Then, 90.5 mL of distilled water which was pre-heated at the same temperature of 85oC and was added slowly with continued stirring for 10 min. The prepared beewax was stored and cooled to ambient temperature.

Preparation of garlic bulb extract: Garlic bulb and free from disease was purchased from local market at Harar city and transported into laboratory. A 3 kg of garlic bulb was peeled and surface-sterilized by immersion in solution of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, 1 %) for 5 min. The fruits were washed with distilled water. Then, garlic bulb was crushed by a clean laboratory mortar and pestle, and extracted by miller (Model:SL-1304, STARLUX, Made in China). The crushed garlic bulb was wrapped, squeezed by double layer cheese cloth. Then, the crude extract was filtered by Whatman No.2 paper and poured into a sterile 10 mL test tube and centrifuged at 1000 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant was filtered by Whatman No.1 filter paper. The extract was collected in bottle and stored in a refrigerator at 4oC until subsequent use [19].

Preparation of capsicum extract: Fresh green pepper, attribute of uniform size, color and freedom disease was purchased from local market at Harar city and transported into laboratory. A 3 kg of fresh, unblemished and healthy green pepper was removed the stack and cleaned by running water and surface-sterilized with sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl, 1%) for 5 min. The fruits were washed with distilled water. Then, green pepper was sized with sterile kitchen knife, crushed by grinder extractor. The crushed capsicum was squeezed by hand and filtered by double cheese cloth and followed by Whatman’s filter paper No.2. The extract was poured into a sterile 10 mL test tube and centrifuged at 1,000 rpm for 10 min. The supernatant was filtered through Whatman’s filter paper No.1. The extract was collected in 200 mL of beaker and stored in a refrigerator at 4oC until subsequent use [20].

Preparation of coatings: Edible coatings were prepared according to method [21,22]. Maize (or corn) starch was purchased from supermarket. A 9.5% (w/v) maize starch was prepared by mixing in distilled water. The starch slurry was heated at 70 0C for 20 min, using magnetic stirrer (Model: heat-stir SB162, STONE STAFFORD SHIRE, SI15, OSA, UK). The dissolved suspension was filtered by cheese cloth and then the temperature was maintained at room temperature. Then, coatings were prepared by gently mixing 0.5 mL garlic bulb extract or capsicum extract and made up to 100 mL in distilled water. Beeswax (9.5%) coatings were prepared by mixed 0.5 mL garlic bulb extract and capsicum extracts, respectively and made up 100 mL in distilled water. The solutions of coatings were maintained at pH of 5.6 using 1N NaOH. The prepared coatings were stored in a refrigerator at 4 0C until used.

Determination of physical attributes

Weight Loss (%): The weight loss (WL) was determined by using the methods of Gharezi, et al [23]. The tomato fruit weight loss was evaluated at 3 days-intervals by taking mass on laboratory weight balance (Model: KERN and Sorn GMbH, 440-45, d=0.1 g, Germany). The percentage weight loss (% WL) was calculated for each sampling interval using the formula given below.

$WL(\%)=\frac{W_i-W_f}{W_i}x100$ (1)

Where, W i initial weight, W f =weight the time of evaluation (g)

Firmness: Firmness was determined by measuring the force required for using a standard probe 0 reading a handheld penetrometer (Model: FT 327, Effegi, Italy) was used for test. The registered force at the penetration was read as the firmness. A 5-mm flat head stainless-steel probe was used to penetrate the fruit and the value was expressed in kilograms force per square centimeter (kg f/cm2) [24].

Decay Loss (%): Decay loss was determined by [25]. Numbers fruits infected on each day of observation in relation to the numbers of fruits initially taken. Then, percent of decay loss was worked out by the formula given below.

$\text{Decay Loss}\left(\text{\%}\right)=\frac{\text{Total No}.\text{ of infected fruits}}{\text{Total No}.\text{ of fruit initial taken}}\times 100$ (2)

Chemical analysis

Total acidity (Citric Acid %): Titratable acidity was determined by AOAC [26]. Method no. 942.15. Tomato fruits were taken from each treatment and chopped into small pieces and blended in an electric blender juice extractor (Model:SL-1304 STARLUX, made in China). The aliquot of tomato juice was filtered through cheesecloth and 10 mL was taken, centrifuged for 15 min at 1000 rpm. The titratable acidity expressed as percentage citric acid was obtained by titrating 5 mL filtrate of juice against standard 0.1 N NaOH solution using phenolphthalein indicator until the end-point was reached to pink (persisting for 15 sec.). The titratable acidity was expressed as g of citric acid/100 mL of juice.

$A\text{cidity}\left(\text{\%}\right)=\frac{\text{Titre}\times \text{Normality of NaOH}\times \text{meqwt}}{\text{Volume of juice taken}\times \text{Volume of filtrate}}\times 100$ (3)

Where: 0.1N NaOH is equivalent to 0.06404 g citric acid of milliequivalent weight (meqwt)

Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C): Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) content was determined by using titrimetric method with the titration of filtrate against 2, 6- dichlorophenol indophenol reagent as described in AOAC [26]. Method no. 967.21. Dye solution was prepared by dissolved a 50 mg of 2,6-dichlorophenol-indophenol containing 42 mg of sodium bicarbonate with makeup distilled water to 100 mL flask. And 100 mg of L-ascorbic acid in a small volume of 3% metaphosphoric acid solution and make up to 100 mL with same solution the standard ascorbic acid solution was prepared.

An aliquot (slurry juice) of 10 mL tomato juice extract was diluted to 100 mL flask with 3% metaphosphoric acid and filtered through filter paper (Whatman No.2). The filtrate was titrated against the standard dye to a pink end-point (persisting for 15 second). Ascorbic acid content was expressed as mg per 100g of fruit pulp.

Where: $\text{Dye fator}\left(\text{D}.\text{F}\right)\text{ was prepared from standard dye solution}=\frac{0.5}{\text{Titre}}$

Data collection

The average ambient air temperature and relative humidity of the storage laboratory room were measured throughout the storage period. Over the entire period of the study the readings were taken in day time with 4-hour intervals. Temperature was recorded using digital psychrometer (Model: ALNOR® 8612 S/N03057107). The relative humidity of the air was monitored using the same psychrometer that was used for temperature measurement.

Statistical analyses

All data were collected for each treatment on tomato fruits at 3 days interval stored for 30 days and analyzed by the Statistical Analysis System (SAS). Significance tests were made by two-way factorial Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model using for Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The results were reported as an average value of triplicate analysis (mean ± SD). Differences between treatments were determined by Fisher’s Least Significance Difference (LSD) method and statistical significance was accepted at (P ≤ 0.05).

Results and discussions

Two varieties of tomato (Fetane and Melkashola)) grown in the same geographic region and same season have been used studied for evaluating the parameters at 3 days-interval for 30 days Figures 1-3.

Figure 1: Tomato coating with Beewax plus capsicum extract stored at room temperature.

Figure 2: Garlic Extract.

Figure 3: Capsicum Extract

Tomato fruit stored at ambient temperature

Temperature and relative humidity of ambient storage

The average ambient air temperature and relative humidity of the storage room varied from 15.5 to 20.2°C, and 55.5 to 67.3%, respectively. Hardenburg, et al [27]. Mentioned that storage under relatively low temperature is the most efficient method to maintain quality of most fruit and vegetables due to its effects on reducing respiration rate, transpiration, ethylene production, physiological change and microbial activities. Hence, the ambient storage conditions did not have extremes of temperature and relative humidity that could affect the stored tomato fruits (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Ambient storage condition of tomato fruit.

Effects of coating materials and bio-extracts on physical quality of stored tomato fruits

Physical Parameters

Decay loss: Figure 5 below presented data of decay loss of tomato fruit as affected by use of coating materials without bio-extracts. It shows that there was no visible sign of decay loss in both coated and uncoated tomato fruit by the 9^th day storage. Furthermore, both coated and uncoated fruits exhibited equal decay loss rates of 8.34 and 13.34% at 12^th and 15^th days of storage period, respectively.

Figure 5: Decay Loss (%).

However, after the 15th day decay loss increased at different rates which were significantly (P< 0.05) different from each other. From the 18th day storage the decay losses were significantly (P < 0.05) high in the control sample than the coated tomato fruit samples. The loss on day 18th was 35.5 % for control sample whereas it is very low in coated samples with 26.56 and 30.00%, for those fruits coated with maize starch and beewax, respectively. The losses for 21^st, 24^th, 27^th and 30^th days exhibited similar trend of increment among the tomato fruit samples. Comparing the performance of two coating materials both resulted into significantly (P< 0.05) lower decay losses as compared to control up to 30th day. But same data showed that maize starch resulted in significantly (P< 0.05) lower losses than beeswax for all storage periods. Similarly, Ali, et al [28]. Found that tomato fruit treated with 5 and 10% gum arabic coating and stored at 20oC showed reduce decay as compared to control tomato fruit.

Weight loss (%): The data showing the impact of coating materials on weight loss is presented in Figure 6. Weight losses started soon after storage and the first record after 3 days showed of storage. There was no significant difference (P< 0.05) among those values.

Figure 6: Weight Loss (%).

However, significant (P< 0.05) difference in weight losses started to show up starting from day 6th days of storage (i.e., 4.26% for control, 2.79% for maize starch and 3.31% for beewax). Similar, trends persisted throughout storage period in that samples coated with maize starch exhibiting significantly (P< 0.05) lower weight loss as compared to samples coated with beewax. The maximum weight loss was 9.06% that was happened on day 30 for tomato fruits coated with maize starch. On other hand, the control sample exhibited significantly (P< 0.05) the highest percentage of losses at every storage period with the highest (14.71%) loss being on day 30.

Firmness: Data on firmness of stored tomato fruits at ambient temperature as influenced by coating materials are presented in figure 7. Comparing the effect of treatments, not as much difference was observed until day 12. Starting from day 15 samples, started to show significant differences up to day 24, the highest records being samples of coated with maize starch. The lowest firmness value (1.00 kgf/cm2) was recorded for all the three samples on days 27 and 30. Generally, maize starch appeared to have a better performance than the beewax in regard to slowdown the textural change of tissues.

Figure 7: Firmness.

Agreement with the previous research work, gum arabic applied to green-mature tomatoes which were stored at 20oC and 80-90% RH [28]. Retained their firmness better than control tomato fruit. As a biochemical process of fruit ripening progresses, the hydrolysis of pectins by pectin esterase and polygalacturonase enzyme activities can result in the depolymerization and shortening of pectin chain length which softens the fruits [29,30].

Effects of coating materials and bio-extracts on physical quality of stored tomato fruits

Chemical parameters

Titratable acidity: Titrable acidity of the stored tomato fruits also significantly affected by coating materials (Figure 8). The values were the same at beginning and started to show difference after that sample coated with starch exhibited higher TA values than those coated with beewax starting from day 18. Before that despite the differences between the values of the two groups it did not show any trend, one being higher at one stage and lower at another.

Figure 8: Titratable Acidity (%).

The control sample show that lower TA values than those of the coated fruits along the storage time except days 0 and 3. This can be explained by the fact that ripening process is faster and consequent conversion of acid into sugar and other substance is greater than coated fruits in which respiration and other biochemical activities were somehow slowed down.

Generally, TA values were ranged from 1.09 day 0 to 0.24 on day 30 for both the control sample and coated sample with beewax while TA values for those of the coated by starch at same time was ranged from 1.09 to 0.36%.

Regarding the interaction effect of coating materials with bio extracts show that samples treated with starch mixed with garlic and those treated with beewax with capsicum appeared to exhibit equal higher values than the rest of samples up to day 21. The values after that showed no significance difference with the rest of the coated sample. The previous study agreement the titratable acidity (TA) values decreased with storage time in both the coated and uncoated fruit [28-30].

Ascorbic acid: The effect of coating materials on the ascorbic acid (AA) contents of the tomato fruits is shown in the data presented in (Figure 9. In most cases, the values do not show significance difference because of the coating materials and where differences were recorded they do not show consistent trend i.e. at one point a sample with one coating material displays higher value while at another it has a lower value. Generally, ascorbic acid content increased up to day18 and then gradually decreased with increasing storage time in both coated and the control sample.

Figure 9: Ascorbic Acid.

Similarly, the ascorbic data did not show much-differences because of type of plant extracts all along the storage period. Only a few cases i.e. on day 9, 15, and 24 were there significant differences. Generally, the ascorbic acid contents of the control samples are lower than those of treated samples.

Conclusions

The use coating materials on the surface of the tomato fruits had helped to maintain the quality the fruits for longer storage time. For example, the decay loss has reduced to 85.05 and 93.34% when using maize starch and beewax coating materials, respectively as compared to 96.67 loss of the fruits stored with no coating. Similarly, the use coating materials has reduced the weight loss of the fruits from 14.71% in 30 days for uncoated samples to 9.06 and 10.51% of those with maize starch and beewax.

The use of bio-extracts-capsicum and garlic extracts had significantly improved the performance of the coating materials by further reducing the decay losses to 84.17 and 81.39%, respectively, and weight losses to 6.69 and 6.64% after 30 days of storage under ambient conditions. Generally, beewax combined with capsicum showed the lowest weight loss at all times followed by the starch mixed with garlic extracts. Similarly, beewax combined garlic and starch combined with capsicum have followed in performance order. Fruits subjected to the coating materials have shown better texture than uncoated fruits. The role of the coating materials also manifested in improving the marketability of the tomato fruits at longer storage periods, as compare to uncoated fruits.

The performance of the coating materials has been shown by storing down the changes such as, tirtable acid, and ascorbic acid. Thus, the tomato fruits are preserved more when coated than uncoated and beewax appeared to perform better than maize starch.

The study showed change in the tomato quality parameters under ambient conditions was largely dependent on variety and postharvest treatments. Fetane tomato fruits had slightly maintained better quality parameters than Melkashola) in terms of percentage marketability, weight loss, and titratable acidity content. Whereas, Melkashola) tomato fruits exhibited slightly better result in maintaining beta carotene and ascorbic acid content when as compared to Fetane tomato fruits. In generally, there was significance difference in physicochemical quality of tomato variety during storage period due to genotypic factor and respiration rate variability.

Recommendations

In developing country like Ethiopia which is still under struggle to ensure food security, losing a substantial amount food due to spoilage during postharvest handling of the produce is a disaster. Applying the result of this study can contribute a lot in saving a significant amount of fresh perishable tomato that perhaps lost in every household every producer and small-scale industry. Moreover, prolonging the shelf life of fresh tomato fruit can keep under control the problem faced to export fruit to other parts of the world. Based on this finding, therefore, the following points will be further work: Different concentration of edible coating materials with plant extract on fresh tomato fruit should be investigated. As the study was conducted at Haramaya University with specific climatic condition, further investigation on the variety of tomato fruit and kinds of decay loss that spoil fresh tomato fruit on the warmer parts of Ethiopia should be evaluated. Need to further study should be done on different dipping time with same coatings Stakeholders of the area need to be trained on the postharvest treatment and techniques to extending postharvest managements of horticultural commodity crops. Consumer acceptance for edible coated tomato should be investigated. Consumers are also required to be educated on the beneficial effects of edible coating application on fruits.

Data availability

The present study data used to support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.

Contribution of author

Author contribution comprehended and designed the experiments, wrote and develop the proposal and data was collected by Desta Dugassa. The data was analyzed and wrote up final report by Desta Dugassa. The author read and approved the final manuscript as well.

I greatly valued support that from Haramaya University who provided the necessary information in the study suitability of bio coatings identify for cottage processing industry and storage coatings. Finally, greatly indebted to all our friends, and staff members indeed.

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