Efficacy of Some Plant Aqueous Extracts and Waxes in the Preservation of Some Fruits and Vegetables

Abstract

Aim:The preservative effect of waxes (paraffin and ester) in addition to buffers (pH 9 and 10) and aqueous extracts (P. biglobosa pod, G. senegalensis and B. aeyptiaca leaves) were studied on fruits and vegetables. Methodology: The preservative effects of the waxes was determined by treating fresh ripe tomatoes, peppers and oranges with buffer (pH 9, 10) for 2 minutes and wax for 3 minutes using the dipping method and for extracts, washing daily with 5mg/ml or 10mg/ml for 3 minutes. Controls were untreated and unwaxed. Number of days taken for fruits and fruit vegetables to deteriorate was recorded and compared. Results: Results showed waxing was highly effective on pepper (30 days), moderately effective on orange (26 days) and fairly effective on tomato (15 days). Among the waxes, paraffin was more effective (9 -30 days) in increasing shelf life than ester (9 -14 days) and the control (6-8 days). P. biglobosa extract application proved more effective (17 -26 days) than Guera senegalensis (13 -14 days), Balanites aegyptiaca (8 -13 days) and the control (9-11 days) in extending the shelf life of the test fruits and vegetables. Statistically, significant differences (P > 0.05) exist between shelf life of tomatoes, oranges and peppers used as control and those subjected to treatments. Comparison of the preservative activity indicated paraffin wax > P. biglobosa > G. senegalensis > B. aegyptiaca > ester wax.

Tomato: An Overview of Application of Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), Neem (Azadiratcha indica) on Shelf-Life Extension During Post-Harvest Storing of Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

“…Also, factors that aided in increasing the shelf life of tomatoes treated with aqueous extract was the treatment time and method employed in applying the extracts. This agrees with Bukar and Magashi (2013), who reported preservative activities of aqueous suspension of Balanites aegyptiaca, Guiera senegalensis and Parkia biglobosa leaves on tomatoes, oranges and pepper. They also added that duration of treatment and vehicle used in treatment application of extract help in extending shelf life (Sharma, 2015;Ahmad et al, 2020).…”