Potential of carboxymethyl cellulose and γ-irradiation to maintain quality and control disease of peach fruit.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) coatings alone and in combination with gamma irradiation were tested for maintaining the storage quality and control of post-harvest gray and black mold disease of peach. Matured green peaches were CMC coated at levels 0.5-1.0% (w/v) and gamma irradiated at 1.2 kGy. The treated fruit including control was stored under ambient (temperature 25 ± 2°C, RH 70%) and refrigerated (temperature 3 ± 1°C, RH 80%) conditions. In fruits treated with individual treatments of 1.0% (w/v) CMC; 1.2 kGy irradiation and combination of 1.0% (w/v) CMC and 1.2 kGy irradiation, no decay was recorded up to 6, 8 and 14 days of ambient storage. Irradiation alone at 1.2 kGy prevented the onset of disease incidence up to 4 days compared to 2 days by 1.0% (w/v) CMC coating following 30 days of refrigeration. Combination of CMC at 1.0% (w/v) and 1.2 kGy irradiation prevented disease incidence of peach up to 7 days during post-refrigerated storage at 25 ± 2°C, RH 70% following 30 days of refrigeration. Above combinatory treatment can be of great potential in facilitating the marketing of the fruit, thereby benefiting the growers.