Effect of Anti-Transpiration Inhibitors Copper and Chitosan, Pomegranate Peel and Thyme Leaves Extracts and Storage Period on the Chemical Traits of Local Orange Fruits

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in a special refrigerated store in the city of Baquba, Diyala Province, for the season 2021-2022. The study showed the effect of treatments (plant extracts and anti-transpiration agents) and the duration of storage on the storage characteristics of the local orange fruits, Citrus sinensis L. The experiment was conducted from 1/12/2021 to 1/3/2022. Where the fruits were harvested by the manual method using manual scissors and cutting the fruits from the fruit bearer at the level of the surface of the fruit from a private orchard in the city of Jdeidet Al-Shat, Diyala Province, where a group of fruits was immersed in pomegranate peel powder extract in two concentrations (3 and 9 g.L-1) for 15 minutes. Another group dipped in thyme leaf extract at two concentrations (6 and 9 g.L-1) for 15 minutes, another group dipped in chitosan at a concentration of 2 g.L-1 for two minutes, and a group dipped in Disper Cu max at a concentration of 3 g.L-1 for two minutes. The control treatment was immersed in distilled water, and the fruits were packed in polyethylene bags of one-kilo size, perforated with 16 holes, and stored in the refrigerator at a temperature of (4∓0.5) C and relative humidity of 80-85% for three months. The results were analyzed in the laboratory of the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering of the College of Agriculture - University of Diyala, and the experiment was carried out using a completely randomized design (CRD). The results showed that the treatment with chitosan had the highest percentage of the total soluble solids (TSS) of the fruit and the percentage of total sugars. The treatment with pomegranate peel powder extract at a concentration of 3 g.L-1 and the treatment with chitosan excelled in the lowest percentage of resilient acidity.