Effect of gum arabic as an edible coating on antioxidant capacity of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) fruit during storage

Coating of tomato fruit with gum arabic has been found to delay the ripening process and maintain the antioxidant capacity. Gum arabic in aqueous solutions of 5, 10, 15 and 20% was applied as an edible coating to green-mature tomatoes which were stored at 20 °C and 80–90% RH for 20 days. Fruit coated with 10% gum arabic delayed the ripening process by slowing down the rate of respiration and ethylene production and also maintained total antioxidant capacity, lycopene content, total phenolics and total carotenoids during storage as compared to the uncoated control and fruit treated with 5% gum arabic concentration. The results suggest that by using 10% gum arabic as an edible coating, the ripening process of tomatoes can be delayed and the antioxidant can be preserved for up to 20 days during storage at 20 °C without any negative effects on postharvest quality.

► Gum arabic slowed down the respiration rate and ethylene production in tomato. ► Gum arabic maintained total antioxidant and total phenolic content during storage. ► Gum arabic coated fruit also contained lycopene and total carotenoids during storage.