“Mitigation of Postharvest Loss in Solanum lycopersicum L. Through Application of Biopolymeric Coatings”

Abstract

The formulation of a bio-based coating employing mucilage powders integrated with protein–lipid complexes presents a novel strategy for postharvest preservation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). Mucilage fractions extracted from Parkia biglandulosa, Bombax ceiba, Spathodea campanulata, and Muntingia calabura exhibited significant hydrocolloidal properties that directly influenced water dynamics within the fruit tissues. Experimental application of these coatings to tomato fruit resulted in enhanced physiological indices, including total water content, relative water content, cellular succulence, and osmotic potential. These parameters are closely associated with maintenance of cellular turgor, which serves as a critical determinant of postharvest freshness and visual appeal.
Turgidity preservation, achieved through mucilage-mediated modulation of osmotic balance and water retention, reflects the efficacy of the coating in mitigating postharvest desiccation. Tomato fruits treated with varying concentrations of the mucilage complex displayed a marked reduction in moisture loss, delayed softening, and improved structural integrity throughout the storage period. Consequently, shelf-life extension was observed, along with superior retention of textural and physiological attributes.
The valorization of mucilage polymers sourced from waste floral, foliar, and fruit biomass of roadside avenue species further underscores the ecological and economic potential of this approach. Beyond offering a biodegradable and non-toxic alternative to synthetic coatings, such utilization addresses the dual objectives of waste reduction and sustainable crop management. Thus, mucilage-based edible coatings representa promising frontier in post harvest biology for maintaining the market quality of tomato fruits during handling, storage, and distribution.