PEACH KERNEL MODIFIED PROTEIN BASED EDIBLE COATING FORMULATION AND ITS USAGE IN IMPROVING SHELF LIFE OF TOMATO (SOLANUM LYCOPERSICUM L.)

Abstract

Modified protein extracted from peach kernel a byproduct from agro-food processing industries combined with Arrowroot starch, an underutilized starch source exhibit promising biodegradable formulation for edible coating.  This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of modified protein and arrowroot starch based edible coating in extending the shelf life of tomatoes for prolong storage days. Formulation for coating was prepared with 2%, 3% and 4% modified protein concentration with 4% arrowroot starch and 4% glycerol for tomato samples. The uncoated tomato samples were marked as control. For a period of 15 days the coated and uncoated tomato samples were studied to evaluate the impact of coating over the period of time. On every 3rd day of the storage period tomatoes samples were evaluated for various parameters like pH, TSS, Titratable acidity, weight loss and shelf life. Tomatoes samples with 3% coating of modified protein were the most effective coating formulation that helped to retain the weight of the tomatoes (62.145 grams) till 15 days of storage period with least drop 8.25% in weight loss percentage. The shelf life of coated tomatoes was increased to 20 days in comparison to 15 days for the uncoated tomatoes sample. For tomatoes with 3% coating vitamin C was found to be 17.6 mg/100g on day 15th, which is highest among coated and uncoated samples. Vitamin C retention percentage on day 15th was found to be 66.4%. E* value for 3% coated tomatoes was recorded 6.87 ± 0.21 which is lowest E* value among other coated and control sample.The result suggested modified protein and arrowroot starch based coated serve as an effective sustainable solution to mitigate the post harvest looses in tomato samples.