Effect of applying vegetal oils, heat treatment and polyethylene coatings after harvest on the storage life of ‘Valencia’ orange

ABSTRACT:This research was carried out in order to study the effect of vegetal oils, heat treatment and polyethylene coating on the storage life of Valencia orange cultivar. After harvest, the fruits were tested in 7 combinationtreatments with three repetitions by methods such as heat treatment, polyethylene coating, and application of Nigella sativa oil and oil of bitter almond or a combination of all of them. Averages were compared using Duncan’s test. The combination treatment with oil of bitter bitteralmond + heat + coating was not only effective on reducing the weight of Valencia orange fruit, but also, due to preventing fruit water loss, resulted in stabilization of soluble solids in compare to the control. Treatment with Nigella sativa oil and oil of bitter almond improved the fruit appearance in compare to other treatments. The combination treatment with oil of bitter almond, heat and coating for controlling the moisture loss showed a significant difference at level of 99 percent in compare to other treatments. Treatments with oil resulted in more weight reduction percentage in compare to other treatments leading to loss of fruit freshness. Accordingly, treatments with oil alone are not effective in extending the life of orange yield. Reviewing the statistical results indicated that the maximum fruit tissue firmness was related to the combination treatment with oil of bitter almond + heat+ coating, and the minimumfirmness was related to the control treatment.