COMBINATIONAL IMPACT OF Debaryomyces hansenii BIOAGENT AND 1- METHYLECYCLOPROPEN (1-MCP) ON SHELF LIFE AND QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF KINNOW MANDARIN

Due to rising consumers' concern over chemical/pesticides residue free eatables and international food safety laws, it is felt world wide to find out an alternative approach for postharvest food loss reduction and quality retention. To find out safe postharvest treatment alternatives, Kinnow mandarin fruits were treated individually with 1-MCP (250 nl L-1), Debaryomyces hansenii (109 cfu ml-1 for 2 minutes) and their combination (250 nl L-1+109 cfu ml-1). Treated fruits were stored at 10°C temperature and 85% RH. Their impact on pathological, physical and quality parameters was investigated after 45 days storage. Fruits treated with 1-MCP (250 nl L-1)+Debaryomyces hansenii bioagent (109 cfu ml-1) resulted in minimum incidence of moulds (green 3.61% and blue 2.05%) over all natural decay (7.25%) and higher sensory score (7.50). Higher fruit firmness and lower PLW was recorded equally good with 1-MCP alone and in combination of Debaryomyces hansenii bioagent. Postharvest fruit quality parameters viz TSS, acidity, total sugars and vitamin C content were not affected with the 1-MCP and Debaryomyces hansenii either atone or in combination.