A Systematic Approach of Formulating Chitosan– Nanosilica Coating for Mango (Mangifera indica L. ‘Carabao’) Fruit

Abstract

The application of fruit coatings reduces gas exchange between the environment and the fruit by creating additional layer to the fruit’s surface. If there is insufficient gas exchange, fruit coatings could induce anaerobic respiration and physiological disorders. Chitosan (CS) and nanosilica (NS) composite coatings for fresh ‘Carabao’ mango fruits were developed by calculating the required oxygen (O2) transmission rate of the coating given the fruit’s respiration rate, surface area and mass. To maintain the respiration requirements of the fruit, computed O2 transmission rates of the coating material should be equal or higher to 0.3270 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 , 0.4530 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 and 0.9608 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 , at 15°C, 20°C and 25°C, respectively. At all temperature regimes, 0.75% CS has higher O2 transmission rate (0.814 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 , 0.935 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 , 1.136 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 ) than 1% CS (0.450 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 , 0.582 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1 , and 0.595 mL∙cm-2 ∙hr-1). Subsequent laboratory trials using 0.75% CS for mango at 20°C showed that the fruit coating could slow down weight loss and retard the peel color change for five days when compared to the uncoated fruits. Sensory tests in terms of color, taste, flavor, and aroma showed that the coated fruits are acceptable and of comparable quality as the control. Fruits coated with 1% CS exhibited delayed peel color change and weight loss but have symptoms of anaerobic respiration and acetaldehyde formation.

Citation:

ACABAL, MA. C., YAPTENCO, K., ELAURIA, J., & ESGUERRA, E. (2021). A Systematic Approach of Formulating Chitosan– Nanosilica Coating for Mango (Mangifera indica L. ‘Carabao’) Fruit. Philippine Journal of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, 18(2), 55–65. https://doi.org/10.48196/018.02.2022.04