Vol. 11, Issue 6 (2022)

Author(s):
Ramandeep and Deven Verma

Abstract:
The post-harvest losses are more prominent in horticulture crops. Post-harvest management techniques are helpful to prevent the produce from different losses and also helps in increasing the availability of the produce all over the world. Reduction in shelf life one of the most important losses in horticulture produce. Edible coatings such as Neem oil, Chitosan, Gum arabic and Clove oil are highly efficient in preventing post-harvest losses. It also reduces the losses during transportation such as it prevents cuts and wounds occurred during the transportation of produce from coating place to consumers. Neem oil increases the shelf life of produce and protect it from inoculation of different pests and diseases by acting as a barrier against them. Edible coating increased the shelf life of produce up to 15 days after application. After the application of edible coating in chili crop shelf life is increased from 7 to 10 days. The income of the farmers enhanced up to 10 to 12% by applying edible coating over horticultural produce. Edible coating induces the low rates of fruit respiration which leads to increase in shelf life of fruits which are covered with edible coating. The shining or outer appearance of produce is enhanced due to coating which makes products looking more shiners as compared to uncoated products. In this paper different aspects of edible coating based on its efficiency and compatibility are considered for prevention of farmer’s produce to enhance the economic growth of farmers.