Influence of water soluble coatings on posharvest quality of sweet cherry (Prunes avium L.) grown in Gilgit-Baltistan

Abstract

The effects of semperfresh along with polyethylene bags on quality of cherries were studied. Freshly harvested cherry fruits (Prunes avium) were segregated into four groups and coated with three different levels of semperfresh i.e. 1, 2, and 3%, while the forth one left as a control. Half of the cherries from each of the above groups were sealed in low density perforated polyethylene bags while the other half of the cherries were placed in open wooden trays. Each group was analyzed for the different quality parameters like, firmness, weight loss, titratable acidity, total soluble solid, total sugar, ascorbic acid, pH, antioxidant activity, total phenolics compound and sensory evaluation. It was revealed from the study that the semperfresh was found effective to reduced weight loss, improved firmness appreciable ascorbic acid content and titratable acidity, high antioxidant activity and total phenolics compound and acceptable flavor, taste and color scores in fruits during storage time.The results of this study suggest that semperfresh 3% increased the shelf life of cherries up to 15 days at room temperature without any change in quality.