2019

Permanent URI for this collection

https://escholar.umt.edu.pk/handle/123456789/14955

Browse

Browsing 2019 by Author "MADIHA KANWAL"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Edible candelilla wax coating blended with calotropis procera to increase shelf life of fruits and vegetables
    (UMT, Lhr, 2019) MADIHA KANWAL
    Edible coating is a very promising and economical way to enhance the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The effect of edible coating containing Candelilla wax along with extract of Calotropis procera was investigated to check its effect against different seasonal fruits and vegetables. Calotropis procera possess great anti-fungal and antibacterial properties. Aqueous and Methanolic extracts of leafs of plant with candelilla wax were used. Extraction was carried out using Soxhlet. Then wax containing extracts were applied to cucumber, lemon, banana and apple by dipping method. Different physiochemical parameters e.g. weight loss, pH, and physical appearance were analyzed for 21 days. Among all four groups Methanolic extracts gave better results. Methanolic extract coated cucumber remained fresh for 11 days. It also helped to prevent cucumber from fungal attack, only 8.1% weight loss was observed much less than other formulations. 3.37% weight loss was observed in apple on day 21. Only 4.03% weight loss was observed on day 16 in lemon with least firmness. A gradual weight loss change was observed in all formulations. Methanolic extract based coatings showed least weight loss and it remained fresher for longer time. pH changes were slightly nonlinear as compared to weight loss as according to lab environment. Banana pH was between 5.2 and 5.8 for all formulations. pH of 5.4 was same in all formulations observed on day 2. Lowest pH of 2.01 was observed in aqueous extract coated lemon on day 12. Maximum and minimum pH change in apple was 3.0 to 3.9 from results it was concluded that plant extract in methanolic based wax coating gave best results for maintaining shelf life of fruits and vegetables. It also helped in maintaining better turgidity with better physical appearance.