Abstract

Edible coatings based on hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose(HPMC) with and without an aqueous extract of Moringa leaves, were developed and applied to orange, in order to improve quality and shelf life during storage, while taking advantage of the beneficial health properties of Moringa. Weight loss, firmness and ascorbic acid content of uncoated and coated samples were determined throughout ambient storage. The two experimental coatings were: HPMC without crude extract of Moringa oleifera and HPMCME mixed with 75mg/ml of crude extract of Moringa oleifera . Four hundred and eighty (480) orange fruits were stored for seven weeks at ambient temperature of 27±3oC and relative humidity of 50- 65%. The overall result showed that polysaccharides coating from (HPMC) and (HPMCME) is effective in extending the shelf-life of orange fruits when compared to untreated in the following order:(HPMCME) > (HPMC) >Control.