Bio-Stimulants Extend Shelf Life and Maintain Quality of Okra Pods

Abdel-Haleem A. H. El-Shaieny (), Naglaa A. A. Abd-Elkarim, Eman M. Taha and Sayed Gebril
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Abdel-Haleem A. H. El-Shaieny: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
Naglaa A. A. Abd-Elkarim: Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
Eman M. Taha: Department of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, South Valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt
Sayed Gebril: Department of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Sohag University, Sohag 82524, Egypt

Agriculture, 2022, vol. 12, issue 10, 1-23

Abstract: Okra ( Abelmoschus esculentus L.), a tropical annual crop, is a highly perishable vegetable. Okra pods deteriorate rapidly after harvesting. The pods undergo physical and physiological changes that diminish storability and quality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of bio-stimulants on the storability and quality of okra pods stored at 4 °C and 25 °C for 12 days. Dipping okra pods for 5 min in a solution of 0.5% ascorbic acid, citric acid, or salicylic acid pre-storage significantly extended the shelf life and preserved the quality of the pods compared to the control condition at 4 °C and 25 °C. Citric acid and ascorbic acid were the most effective in preserving most traits. Citric acid reduced the loss in weight, firmness, appearance, and prevented decay at 4 °C and 25 °C. Ascorbic acid decreased the loss of moisture and the degradation of carbohydrates, vitamin C and lycopene at 4 °C and 25 °C. Salicylic acid decreased the degradation of protein at 25 °C. The low temperature was highly effective in decreasing the loss or degradation of most of the studied traits. Taken together, bio-stimulants and storing at 4 °C played a prominent role in extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of okra pods.

Keywords: Abelmoschus esculentus; storage conditions; pod quality; postharvest; nutrition value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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