Hossein Meighani

The effect of three different coatings; resin wax (Britex Ti), carnauba wax (Xedasol M14), and ‎chitosan (1 and 2 % w/v) on postharvest quality of pomegranate fruits were investigated. Fruits ‎quality characteristics and bioactive compounds were evaluated during 40, 80 and 120 days storage ‎at 4.5 °C and 3 additional days at 20 °C. The results showed that uncoated fruits showed higher ‎respiration rate, weight loss, L* and b* values of arils, total soluble solids (TSS)/titratable acidity ‎‎(TA), and pH than coated fruits during storage. Coating treatments could delay declining TSS and ‎TA percent, a* value of arils, as well as bioactive compounds such as total phenolics, flavonoids ‎and anthocyanins content and antioxidant activity. The coated fruits with commercial resin and ‎carnauba waxes showed significantly lower respiration rate and weight loss than other treatments, ‎however carnauba wax could maintain considerably higher fruits quality and bioactive compounds ‎than other coating treatments. The results suggested that postharvest application of carnauba wax ‎have a potential to extend storage life of pomegranate fruits by reducing respiration rate, water loss ‎and maintaining fruit quality