The objective of the present work was to evaluate the use of cassava starch biofilms in the maintenance postharvest quality of guavas 'Pedro Sato'. The fruits were soakked in the concentrations of 2, 3 and 4% of cassava starch and stored under refrigeration (9±1º C and 90±5% RH) for 20 days. The biofilm at the concentration of 3 and 4% of cassava starch was more effective in delaying the ripening of guavas promoting higher levels of non-reducing sugars and vitamin C content and lower concentation of total and reducing sugars, soluble pectin content, percentage of solubilization, pectinmetylesterase and polygalacturonase activity. Application of biofilms on to guavas fruit (Psidium guajava L.) surface presents itself as a viable alternative in their conservation.
Psidium guajava; stored; edible coating; postharvest; chemical and biochemical caracterization
