Abstract

Orange (Citrus sinensis) is a non-climacteric fruit that can be stored for long periods. However, the development of physiological and phytopathological disorders limits its postharvest storage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of coating orange with propolis extract on the physicochemical characteristics of the ‘Pera’ orange during storage under ambient temperature. The fruits were selected and submitted to five postharvest treatments, three different forms of dip coating (70% alcohol, hydroalcoholic extract of propolis to 2.5%, hydroalcoholic extract of propolis to 5%), and two controls (one uncoated and one uncoated fruit kept under refrigeration). The variables weight loss, firmness, total soluble solid (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), ratio TSS/TA, and hydrogenic potential (pH) were evaluated at 0, 10, 18, and 25 days of storage. Treatment with propolis extract coating reduced the weight loss until the 18th day of storage. The fruit coated with propolis extract remained firmer up to 25 days of storage; this result is not significantly different from that of other postharvest treatments. The postharvest “refrigerated” treatment showed lesser weight loss and firmness during the storage period as a result of chilling injury. Coating with propolis extracts resulted in significant alterations of small magnitude in the variables TSS, TA, TSS/TA, and pH in oranges at the end of the storage period.

Key words: Citrus sinensis, coating, storage, quality, weight loss.