This work was made to evaluate the fruit properties and postharvest life of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill) coated with cassava starch film. After the selection the fruits were dipped in 2 and 3% starch suspensions, dried naturally and stored in room conditions. The average temperature and relative humidity for the period varied respectively among 16-21ºC and 51-91%. The experiment was compound of a no-destructive group (evaluation of weight loss). Another group was the destructive group (evaluation of pH, texture and total soluble solids). Samples of the three groups were taken in 0, 4, 8, 11, 14, 18 and 22 days. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized statistical design, with 5 replications for the control group and 3 replications for the destructive group. It was founded that the treatments didn't influence significantly the weight loss and the texture. However the fruits coated with 3% starch suspension presented better aspect at the end of the experiment than control and of the fruits immersed in the 2%. The coate effect on tomato fruits was not harzard, only esthetic.
tomato; cassava starch film; postharvest
