Storage behavior of Nagpur mandarin fruits as affected by post-harvest application of plant leaf extracts under cold storage condition

Abstract

Use of plant leaf extracts could be a useful alternative in post-harvest handling and storage of Nagpur mandarin fruits. The experiment was conducted at Post Harvest Technology Laboratory, Department of Fruit Science, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, and Akola with the objective to access the efficacy of extracts obtained from leaves of four plants (Neem, Tulsi, Custard apple and Guava) on the extension of shelf life of Nagpur mandarin fruits obtained mainly from Mrig bahar. Fruits of Nagpur mandarin are available up to March - April and after that there is unavailability of fruits up to September. So by increasing shelf life of fruits one can get fulfill the demand and also farmers get benefited by getting extra rates to their produce. The fruits were treated with 20 % leaf extracts and guargum used as sticking material. The fruits coated with Neem leaf extract in combination of cold storage gave encouraging results up to the end of the storage period. There was minimum physiological loss in weight (5.55%), maximum total soluble solids (14.08 o Brix), maximum retention of acidity (0.26%), maximum ascorbic acid content (36.70 mg/100 ml), maximum total sugars (9.25%), reducing sugar (5.23%) and best organoleptic score (8.39) up to 45 days and it decrease after 45 days of storage followed by Tulsi leaf extract coating. This inhibitory effect of Neem leaf extract was recorded due to presence of active principle compound azadiractin.