Preliminary Results: Combination of MAP and Aloe Vera Gel in Medlar Fruit

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of Aloe vera gel and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) treatments on physiological and biochemical quality of medlar (Mespilus germanica L. cv. "Istanbul") during 60 d storage (0 +/- 0.5 degrees C and 90 +/- 5% RH). During storage, the fruit in MAP with or without Aloe vera gel had higher firmness, total flavonoids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity with lower weight loss and respiration rate than control fruit. At the end of storage, chroma, hue angle and titratable acidity values of Aloe vera + MAP-treated fruit were greater than the control and only MAP-treated fruit. MAP treatment alone or in combination with Aloe vera decreased SSC of fruit stored for 40 or 60 d. Phenolic compounds (caffeic acid, chlorogenic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid and quercetin) of fruit stored in MAP alone or in combination with Aloe vera were higher than those of the control fruit. In general, there was no significant difference between MAP and Aloe vera + MAP treatments in phenolic substances except for gallic acid on day 20 and 60 of storage. The loss in ascorbic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid and malic acid was delayed by alone MAP or Aloe vera + MAP treatments. Aloe vera + MAP treatment maintained higher organic acid during storage than fruit underwent to MAP alone. Therefore, Aloe vera gel + MAP could be used as an efficient postharvest treatment for maintaining postharvest quality of medlar fruit.