EFFECT OF OZONE APPLICATION ON POSTHARVEST QUALITY AND MICROBIOLOGICAL STATE OF “ZAGHLOUL” DATE PALM FRUITS | ||
| Journal of Plant Production | ||
| Article 6, Volume 7, Issue 1, January 2016, Pages 43-51 PDF (622.26 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||
| DOI: 10.21608/jpp.2016.43456 | ||
| Author | ||
| Hoda A. Khalil* | ||
| Department of Pomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Aflaton street, 21545-El Shatby, Alexandria, Egypt | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The postharvest quality of ‘Zaghloul’ date palm cultivar was investigated to study the effects of ozone on weight loss rate, electrolyte leakage (EL), total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ascorbic acid, total phenol content and antioxidant activity at harvest and during cold storage at 0 ± 1°C for up to 30 days. Moreover, the study aimed to elucidate the efficiency of ozone application on controlling microbial growth. The fruits were exposed to 150 ppb ozone (O3) by using ozone generator (biofresh OZ80, UK).The results indicated that ozone application reduced the yeasts and molds and mesophilic aerobic bacteria compared to control. Ozone treated fruits had higher weight loss than control but the differences were not significant. However, Ozone treated fruit showed lower total soluble solid, electrolyte leakage, and rutab% compared to non-ozone treated ones. Ozone treated fruits had higher ascorbic acid and total phenol contents as well as antioxidant activity, while did not significantly affect fruit titratable acidity. Thus, ozone application could be an effective strategy for maintaining post-harvest quality of dates and provide a longer storage life. | ||
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