S. Nur - Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-۳۱۱۴, Bangladesh.
S. Ahmed - Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-۳۱۱۴, Bangladesh.
S. Ahmed - Department of Agro Product processing Technology, Jessore University of Science and Technology, ‎Jashore Sadar, ۷۴۰۸, Bangladesh.
W. Zzaman - Department of Food Engineering and Tea Technology, Shahjalal University of Science and Technology, Sylhet-۳۱۱۴, Bangladesh.

This study was done to evaluate the effect of edible coatings based on Aloe Vera (AV) in combination with ascorbic acid and lactic acid on the postharvest life and quality of tomato. Several coatings based on different natural components such as gum Arabic, carnauba, mineral oil, etc. have shown an increase in the shelf life with better retention in postharvest quality. Two edible coatings of natural Aloe vera gel (۱۰%) along with Ascorbic Acid (AA; ۱%) and Lactic Acid (LA; ۱%) were applied to mature tomatoes as an edible coating and stored at room temperature (۲۵-۲۹°C) and ۸۲-۸۴% Relative Humidity (RH) for ۳۰ days. After application, weight loss, total Titratable Acidity (TA), Soluble Solids Content (SSC), ascorbic acid content, pH value, total phenolic content, total antioxidant activity, and decay percentage were measured at ۰, ۷, ۱۴, ۲۱, and ۳۰ days. Compared with untreated tomato, coated ones exhibited a significant (P≤ ۰.۰۵) delay in weight loss and higher retention of SSC, vitamin C, and titratable acidity. Between the two coatings applied to tomato, AV+۱% AA+۱% LA coating was found to be the most effective in delayed ripening and maintaining the postharvest losses. Results obtained in this study support using AV and AA+LA edible coating as an effective alternative to preserving tomato, delay ripening processes, and extend shelf life.

Aloe vera gel, Antioxidant activity, Lycopersicon esculentum, Post-harvest quality.