Gad El-Rab, N., Haffez, M. (2023). Preserving the quality of fruits and enhancing the storability of cucumbers by postharvest treatments. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 101(1), 67-82. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2023.172012.1292
Noura A. Gad El-Rab; Mona M. Haffez. "Preserving the quality of fruits and enhancing the storability of cucumbers by postharvest treatments". Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 101, 1, 2023, 67-82. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2023.172012.1292
Gad El-Rab, N., Haffez, M. (2023). 'Preserving the quality of fruits and enhancing the storability of cucumbers by postharvest treatments', Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 101(1), pp. 67-82. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2023.172012.1292
Gad El-Rab, N., Haffez, M. Preserving the quality of fruits and enhancing the storability of cucumbers by postharvest treatments. Egyptian Journal of Agricultural Research, 2023; 101(1): 67-82. doi: 10.21608/ejar.2023.172012.1292
Preserving the quality of fruits and enhancing the storability of cucumbers by postharvest treatments
Postharvest and Handling of Vegetable Crops Research Department, Horticulture Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
Cucumber fruit (Cucumus sativus, L.) Merage F1 hybrid was harvested at the appropriate stage of marketing maturity in 2021 and 2022 seasons to study the influence of some postharvest treatments (sodium alginate 2%, chitosan 0.5%, pomegranate peel extract (PPE) 10%, sodium alginate + PPE, and chitosan + PPE) compared with untreated fruits as a control on preserving quality and enhancing storability for cucumbers during storage at 10°C and 90-95 % relative humidity for 16 days. According to the results, all postharvest treatments were superior to untreated fruits in terms of reducing weight loss, change of color, loss of firmness, and maintaining total soluble solids, total chlorophyll, and total phenolic contents, as well as the overall appearance of fruits during storage periods. However, chitosan + PPE or sodium alginate + PPE treatments were the best treatments for maintaining the overall quality attributes of cucumber fruits. Furthermore, the chitosan + PPE treatment gave the best results in slowing the rate of weight loss (1.09 & 1.21%), retaining green color (L* and h°), maintaining fruit firmness (6.80 & 5.98 kg/cm2), total soluble solids (3.87 & 3.63%), total chlorophyll (57.71 & 56.32 mg/100 g fresh weight), and total phenolic (6.62 & 6.28 mg/g dry weight), and giving an excellent appearance of fruits without decay for 16 days.