Calcium chloride + salicilic acid, effective to reduce postharvest deterioration in loquat

Postharvest losses in loquat fruit (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.) can be directly attributable to decay due to fungi. Also some of these fungi are the source of mycotoxins which are harmful to humans. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of postharvest dipping in CaCl2 combined with some anti oxidants on the physiological changes and the incidence of decay during storage at room temperature. Fruits of uniform size were selected, free of mechanical damage and decay, and divided into five groups. Each group was treated with one of the following treatments which were: tap water (control),4%CaCl2, 4%CaCl2 + 5 mM salicylic acid (SA), 4%CaCl2 + 2000 ppm ascorbic acid (AA) and 4%CaCl2 + 5 mM citric acid (CA). All fruits were dipped in the prepared solution for 5 min, air dried, packed in commercial perforated (4%) polyethylene boxes and stored under room conditions (18?2?C and 55% RH). Respiration rate, total soluble solids (TSS), total acidity (TA), firmness, weight loss and decay were evaluated. The results showed that CaCl2+SA was the most effective treatment which significantly reduced the incidence of fungal diseases and delayed the deterioration when compared with the control fruits. CaCl2+SA also slowed down the respiration rate and weight losses and maintained higher levels of fruit firmness which most probably implicated in fruit deterioration. The role of calcium and anti-oxidants in limiting deterioration and senescence of loquat fruit were discussed. SourcesEffect of calcium chloride combined with some anti oxidants on keeping quality and limiting postharvest decay of loquat fruitM.Z. Sultan1, Y.S. Mostafa2, I.H. Tolba31Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt2Department of Pomology, Faculty of Agriculture, Alexandria University, Elshatby- Alexandria, Egypt3Department of Botany, Branch Plant Pathology, Faculty of Agriculture, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt V Postharvest Unlimited, ISHS International Conference, 10-13 June 2014, Cyprus Picture by the Cooperative Ruchey, www.ruchey.es, a main loquat grower