Farming and Postharvest Application of Silicon and Aloe Vera-Based Edible Coating Enhances Shelf Life and Retains Biochemical Quality of Kinnow

The short shelf-life of 'Kinnow' mandarins results in ۳۵-۴۰% postharvest losses. This study investigated the effects of postharvest application of silicon, Aloe vera gel (AVG), and their combination on the shelf-life and physio-biochemical traits of 'Kinnow' mandarins during ۷۲ days of cold storage. Compared to untreated fruits, mandarins treated with silicon + AVG showed significantly higher firmness, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total phenol, and antioxidant enzyme activities (APX, CAT, GPX, SOD). Additionally, treated fruits exhibited reduced weight loss, total soluble solids, H۲O۲, MDA, and cell wall-degrading enzyme activities. These findings suggest that silicon and AVG coatings can be effective, safe, and economical methods for maintaining fruit quality and extending the shelf-life of mandarins.

Keywords:

Aloe vera gel , Antioxidant enzymes , H۲O۲ , MDA