Abstract

RODRIGUEZ GONZALEZ, Manuel; ABREU RODRIGUEZ, Mailen; CABRERA JULIEN, Nerelys  and  DENIZ JIMENEZ, Daisy. Effect of cassava starch biofilm coating on postharvest quality of papaya (Carica papaya L.). Investig. Agrar. [online]. 2024, vol.26, n.2, pp.59-66. ISSN 2305-0683.  https://doi.org/10.18004/investig.agrar.2024.diciembre.2602760.

The objective of this research was to determine the effect of cassava starch coating (biofilm) on the conservation and quality of papaya fruit cv. "Maradol" during the post-harvest stage. The study evaluated the reduction of metabolic activity, water loss, and the extension of the commercialization period. A 4 x 4 factorial arrangement was used in a completely randomized design, with 4 concentrations (0, 1, 2, and 3% w/v of starch in 100 mL of water, gelatinized at 75ºC for 30 min) and 4 evaluation times (4, 8, 12, and 16 days post-harvest). The physicochemical properties evaluated were: fresh mass loss, external appearance, peel color index, pH, soluble solids, and titratable acidity. After 16 days, all coated fruits showed a fresh mass loss 1.9 to 2.6 times lower than the control, and yellow coloration in 25 to 50% of the peel surface, compared to 50 to 75% in control fruits. The pH decreased as titratable acidity increased, and lower levels of soluble solids were observed compared to control fruits throughout the period. The results demonstrated that the cassava starch biofilm was effective, with the 3% concentration standing out as an alternative for conservation, increasing shelf life during the 16-day post-harvest period, showing lower maturity stages than the control and better external appearance.

Keywords : biofilm postharvest quality; cassava starch; conservation.

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