Modeling and optimizing the changes in physical and biochemical properties of table grapes in response to natural zeolite treatment

The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to establish a predictive model for the effects of natural zeolite at different concentration and different storage times, as independent variables, on shelf life, physical and chemical properties, quality parameters and phytochemicals compounds of table grapes. The response surface models (RS model) had satisfactory R-2 and Adj.R-2 and models had non-significant lack of fit (P > 0.05). The parameters of the RS model had a good predictive performance and can be considered validated. The results demonstrated that natural zeolite is able to significantly improve the table grape tissue firmness, enhance different phytochemicals and antioxidants, and decrease water loss, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde production and decay extension rates. Treated fruit had a higher superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and total antioxidant activity and phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids contents. Using desirability function method treatment of table grapes with zeolite at 6% and storage for 60 days was found to be the optimized condition.

Automated summary

The Response Surface Methodology was used to establish a predictive model for the effects of natural zeolite on table grapes. The results showed that zeolite can improve grape firmness, enhance phytochemicals and antioxidants, and decrease water loss and decay rates. The optimized condition was found to be treating grapes with zeolite at 6% concentration and storing for 60 days.