Novel Prosopis juliflora leaf ethanolic extract coating for extending postharvest shelf-life of strawberries

Strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa) is a rich source of nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants including vitamin C. Its susceptibility to mechanical injuries, dehydration, and fungal infections make its postharvest shelf-life very short. Prosopis juliflora water-soluble leaf ethanolic (PJ-WS-LE) extract previously described by our team has a strong antifungal activity. The present study investigates the potential effect of PJ-WS-LE extract coating on the extension of strawberries shelf-life, and the values of the extract alone and the extract embedded in 1% chitosan (edible coating) in delaying spoilage-related symptoms and in maintaining good storage quality parameters at 4 degrees C. PJ-WS-LE extract alone extended strawberries shelf-life at 4 degrees C by 2.32 times. Best storage quality-parameters were observed with strawberry samples coated with PJ-WS-LE extract embedded in 1% chitosan, this includes liked sensory characteristics, maintenance of firmness and total soluble solids levels, lower surrounding microbial count, lower percent weight loss and lower total antioxidant levels increase.

Automated summary

The study found that the Prosopis juliflora water-soluble leaf ethanolic (PJ-WS-LE) extract coating can effectively extend the shelf-life of strawberries, particularly when embedded in 1% chitosan. This coating can delay spoilage-related symptoms of strawberries and maintain good storage quality parameters, including sensory characteristics, firmness, and total soluble solids levels.