Azadeh Sadat Shekarabi - Chemical Engineering Department, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abdol Rasoul Oromiehie - Khatam Polymer Co. Units ۹, No.۲, Hamsayeghan str. Valiaser Str. Tehran, Iran
Ali Vaziri - Chemical Engineering Department, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Mahdi Arjmand - Chemical Engineering Department, Islamic Azad Universities Tehran South Branch, Tehran, Iran

In this study, we investigated the application of natural antimicrobial substances (aloe vera, Iranian aqua honey propolis extract and chamomile essential oil) ranging from 0 to 0.75% concentration incorporated into starch and carboxy methyl cellulose which was assessed as a potential protective coating in grape fruit at 25°C during a period of 28 days. Iranian aqua honey propolis extract as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial agent prolonged microbiological and physicochemical shelf life by more than 24 days in comparison with other coatings and non-coated fresh grape. However, significant (p<0.05) reduction of physicochemical shelf life was observed in firmness characteristics and the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration values of antimicrobial agents were obtained for yeasts and molds of grape which honey propolis extract. According to the results, incorporated 0.75% of honey propolis extract into the coating appeared to be a promising preservation alternative for fresh grape because of having good acceptance by consumer and inhibited microbial counts for both yeasts and molds

Antimicrobial activity; Grape; Honey propolis extract; Chamomile essential oil; Aloe vera