Investigating The Synergistic Antimicribial Potential Of Ginger Extract Incoporating With Different Bioploymer Coating For Preservation Of Tomatoes

Abstract

fomat*es are highlv perishable liuits susceptibie t* |lostharvest cleteriorarir:r"r" cctnpromising their r-1uali4, and marketabinitl'. This research investigates the elficac,v of nat:-rral biopol3'rner coatings in preserving tomato qualit_v afiribr-ites and controlling disease derrelopmeiit dLring storage and marketing. Tna different biopol.vmers such as maltoctrertrin and pectin have been erplored ti:r their abilit3.' to extencl shelf liib and enhance pcstharvest qualit-v. Tiris stud-v evaluates the impact of these biopolvmers on ke3' qLrali4.' parameters including r.leight lass. filmness. color change" pH. titratable aciditl {TAl"and totai solLrble solids cont€tll {TSS;" Asccrbic acitl content. Ll.ccpene cilnt€nt. di.sease severitl,'{D5}. riisease incidence iDl;ancl marketabilin" Funheimcre" llte r*se*rch assesses the ccatings' el&clir,eness in inlibiting cofflnon postharvest pathr,.u*ns. Tlrrough a series ol sl*rage simuiati*ns and marketing c*nelitirrn :iimuiatir-.ns" incii-lr-iins lernperature and hLlmii.iitl ijuctrLaticns anci ha*diing stress" tile .;iLld3 ain:s to pr*r,'iile c*mprehensive inslghts into the practicaiappiicabili:1 cf natural i-ricpcli,n-:*r coat;ngs in ilie t*nrato srippiv cirlLjn. -f ne I r:clincs .;l't.his iesearcl'l ctintrib*te i* ttrle clevel*pment cisr-rstainai,.1e anci eco-iiie nCl1 str*:cuie s t*r enl:ancing tomato she 1l 1i:*. *rsuring the clualit;." and leciucir"rg pcstirariest ic,ss.s in the agricr,i.ltural lndustn. Results indicate that natural biopolymer coatings signilicantl,v influence the postharv'est qualit,v and disease resistance of tomatoes. Pectin coatings incorporated w-ith ginger extract. in particular. demonstrated remarkabie efhcacy in maintaining firmness. color change, and vitamin C content compared to other treatments including maltodextrin. \loreover, these coatings exhibited significant antimicrobial activity. The findings suggest that biopolymer coatings offer a promising eco-friendly solution for extending the shelf-iife of tomatoes w'hile ensuring their qualiqv and safety during storage and marketing. Further optimization of coating lormulations and application methods could enhance their commercial potential in the liesh produce industry.