Effect of post harvest edible coatings on biochemical parameters of dragon fruit (Selenicereus monacanthus)

The research entitled “Effect of post harvest edible coatings on biochemical parameters of dragon fruit (Selenicereus monacanthus)” was carried out at Department of Fruit Science Laboratory, Dr. YSRHU-College of Horticulture, Venkataramannagudem, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh during the year 2023-24. In the experiment, the design followed was Completely Randomized Design with seven treatments and three replications. Dragon fruits were coated with different edible coatings i.e., T1: Aloe vera gel extract- 50%, T2: Aloe vera gel extract- 75%, T3: Gum arabic- 10%, T4: Gum arabic- 15%, T5: Cellulose gum -1%, T6: Cellulose gum -2%, T7 was taken as control and stored at ambient temperature. Fruits coated with Aloe vera gel 75% (T2) recorded significantly highest TSS (13.70°Brix), total sugars (10.29%) and reducing sugars (7.13%) at 9th day of storage. Hence, the research findings concluded that Aloe vera gel 75% (T2) found to be best in retaining biochemical parameters of dragon fruits at ambient temperature.