Post-harvest quality of papaya coated with polivinilic alcohol and maize starch

ABSTRACT Climacteric fruits have short postharvest shelf life. Coating is an alternative to minimize fruit ripening and post-harvest losses. Maize starch (S) polivinilic alcohol - PVOH (P), isolated or blended, can be used in the formulation of coatings. However, little known about potential PVOH-containing coatings conservation fruits. Papaya were aftercoated with 5 coating formulations: 3% (S), 2.25% S + 0.75% P, 1.5% P P. The kept at room temperature (20 ± °C 70 10% RH) physicochemical characteristics evaluated for up eight days. Uncoated as control. In general, maize PVOH. reduced weight loss did not affect total soluble solids concentration. increased acidity decreased pH fruits, excessively inhibited gas exchange between environment. this study, was more efficient prolonging life papaya.