ABSTRACT
It was aimed with this study to evaluate the edible coating based on xanthan gum and glycerol, combined the calcium chloride, oleic acid and/or peppermint essential oil, in the preservation of strawberries cv. Festival. Strawberries were selected, washed, sanitized, and after the fruits were subjected to different xanthan based coating treatments containing glycerol, calcium chloride, oleic acid and/or peppermint essential oil. Fruits were dried under forced ventilation at 4 ºC for 15 h and, after, packed in polyethylene terephthalate trays and stored at 4 ºC for 12 days. Analyses of weight loss, firmness, color, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, anthocyanin concentration and incidence ofdecay were realized. All coatings tested were efficient in maintaining fruit quality. The best treatment was xanthan gum and glycerol, since the addition of oleic acid, peppermint essential oil and calcium chloride was not significant. Xanthan gum coating provided reduction of weight loss, maintained firmness, color, pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids and anthocyanin concentration and did not stimulate fungal growth. Thus, this gum has potential for application as a coating in strawberries cv. Festival to maximize the useful life of this product.
Index terms
Fragaria x ananassa Duch; Mentha piperita L.; oleic acid; weight loss; fungal decay
