Efecto de recubrimientos comestibles en la calidad del fruto de la fresa

Abstract

Strawberries are a fruit highly susceptible to deterioration during post-harvest storage, which reduces their shelf life and negatively impacts their marketability. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the use of different biodegradable coatings to combat post- harvest losses in this fruit. The research was conducted using a quantitative approach with a completely randomized experimental design. Six formulations of linseed mucilage and cassava starch, combined with water and glycerin, were tested, along with an uncoated control. Data were collected on days 1, 5, and 8 to the variables weight, pH, total soluble solids (°Brix), firmness, and percentage of pathogen contamination. Analysis of variance and Tukey's test at the 5% significance level were used to compare treatments. The results showed that coatings made with linseed mucilage influence the preservation process, resulting in more stable weight, firmness, and °Brix, while treatments with cassava starch showed greater increases in °Brix and greater weight loss, suggesting a reduced capacity to control moisture loss during postharvest storage. Although all treatments showed some contaminated fruit, the linseed mucilage treatment with glycerin showed the lowest percentage of pathogen contamination compared to the other treatments and the control. Therefore, it is concluded that formulations with linseed mucilage and glycerin have the potential to improve the postharvest storage conditions of strawberries.