Impact of Ethylene Absorbents on Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Tomatoes at Different Maturity Stages Under Cold Storage
Abstract
Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are highly perishable climacteric fruits, leading to substantial losses during storage and distribution. This study investigated the effectiveness of ethylene absorbent sachets in extending the shelf life and preserving the quality of tomatoes at different maturity stages stored under cold conditions. Tomatoes of the “platinum” variety at five maturity stages (I–V: mature green, breaker, turning, pink, and light red) were treated with three ethylene scavenger sachets: potassium permanganate, activated carbon, and a combined treatment, alongside an untreated control. The mixed sachet was prepared by impregnating activated carbon with saturated potassium permanganate solution (0.04 M). Samples were stored at 12 °C and 95% relative humidity, and postharvest quality parameters including weight loss, firmness, skin color, pH, total soluble solids, lycopene, ascorbic acid, and shelf life were evaluated. Potassium permanganate demonstrated highest ethylene absorption capacity (539 ppm), indicating superior ethylene scavenging efficiency. All treated samples showed delayed ripening, reduced weight loss, improved firmness retention, and slower increases in pH and total soluble solids compared to control fruits. Treatment effectiveness varied with maturity stage: Potassium permanganate was most effective for mature green and turning stages, activated carbon for breaker stage, and the mixed sachet for pink and light red stages. The longest shelf life of (28 days) was recorded in mature green tomatoes treated with potassium permanganate, compared to 20 days in control. Ethylene absorbent sachets treated with potassium permanganate for stages Ⅰ and Ⅲ, activated carbon for stages Ⅱ, and mix for stages Ⅳ and Ⅴ can be recommended for extending the shelf life of tomato. The findings confirm that stage-specific application of ethylene absorbents is an effective and economical strategy for increasing tomato storage life and reducing postharvest losses