Slightly acidic electrolyzed water treatment improves the quality and storage properties of carambola fruit

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the impacts of slightly acidic electrolyzed water (SAEW) treatment on the physiology, quality, and storage properties of postharvest carambola. The carambolas were immersed in SAEW with a pH value of 6.0, ORP of 1340 mV and ACC of 80 mg/L. Results demonstrated that SAEW could significantly reduce the respiration rate, inhibit the increase in cell membrane permeability, and delay apparent color change. Relatively higher contents of bioactive compounds and nutritional components, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, reducing sugars, sucrose, vitamin C, total soluble sugar, and total soluble solid, as well as higher titratable acidity were maintained in SAEW-treated carambola. In addition, SAEW-treated carambola exhibited a higher commercial acceptability rate and a higher firmness, but lower weight loss and peel browning index than control fruits. Our results indicated that SAEW treatment achieved high fruit quality and nutritional values, potentially contributing to improve storage properties of harvested carambola.