IMPACT OF MORINGA OIL COATING ON POSTHARVEST QUALITY AND STORAGE STABILITY OF LEMON, MUSAMBI, AND SWEET ORANGE
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64013/bbasrjlifess.v2026i1.73Keywords:
Post-Harvest Storage, Citrus Varieties, Moringa Oil Coating, Shelf Life, Quality AttributesAbstract
The loss of citrus fruits after harvest has been primarily attributed to their rapid physiological and microbiological deterioration. The current investigation was conducted to establish the impact of moringa oil coating on the quality and storage life of three species of citrus fruits, namely lemon, musambi, and sweet orange, stored for 21 days. The citrus fruits were divided into coated and uncoated samples, and the variation in non-destructive parameters (physiological weight loss, incidence of decay, firmness) and destructive parameters (ascorbic acid content, total soluble solids, and pH) was estimated at 7-day intervals. The outcomes showed a progressive reduction in ascorbic acid content and consistency, with a corresponding increase in total soluble solids, pH, weight loss, and decay incidence with storage. However, the moringa-coated fruits showed a significant decline in weight and decay incidence, along with enhanced firmness and chemical quality retention compared to uncoated fruits. The beneficial role of the coating was more evident after 14 days of storage. In general, moringa oil coating was seen to be a beneficial means of increasing the postharvest life of citrus fruits, illustrating its effectiveness as a natural and economic postharvest treatment.
Downloads
References
Abbott, J. A. (1999). Quality measurement of fruits and vegetables. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 15(3), 207–225. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-5214(98)00086-6
Abebe, Z., Tola, Y. B., & Mohammed, A. (2017). Effects of edible coating materials and stages of maturity at harvest on storage life and quality of tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.) fruits. African Journal of Agricultural Research, 12(8), 550–565. https://doi.org/10.5897/AJAR2016.11891
Abrol, G. S., & Joshi, V. (2011). Effect of different initial TSS level on physico-chemical and sensory quality of wild apricot mead. International Journal of Food and Fermentation Technology, 1(2), 221–229. https://doi.org/10.5958/j.2277-9396.1.2.011
Adumanya, O. C. U., Onyeme, A., Umensofor, G., & Nwinee, S. (2021). Ascorbic acid and pH levels of matured indigenous fruits in south-east Nigeria. Transatlantic Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 3(2), 82–100. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5562453
Al-Rashdi, S., Al-Subhi, N., Al-Dairi, M., & Pathare, P. B. (2024). Effect of a moringa oil–beeswax edible coating on the shelf-life and quality of fresh cucumber. Processes, 12(6), 1148. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061148
Al-Yahyai, L. Y. H. (2021). Extension of the Banana Fruit Shelf-Life Using Olive (Olea Europaea L) and Moringa Peregrina oil Coatings (Master's thesis, Sultan Qaboos University).
Ammar, E. E., Zou, X., Ghosh, S., Onyeaka, H., Elmasry, S. A., Alkeay, A. M., AL-Farga, A., Rady, H. A., EL-Shershaby, N. A., & Sallam, A. S. (2025). Fresh futures: Cutting‐edge eco‐friendly coating techniques for fruits. Journal of Food Processing and Preservation, 2025(1), 5201632.https://doi.org/10.1155/2025/5201632
Aremu, M. O., Ibrahim, H., & Bamidele, T. O. (2015). Physicochemical characteristics of the oils extracted from some Nigerian plant foods–a review. Chemical and Process Engineering Research, 32, 36–52.
Asrat, M., & Abera, S. (2024). Edible Coating from Enset Starch and Moringa Leaf Extract to Maintain Quality of Tomato (Lycopersicon Esculentum Mill.) Fruit Stored at Ambient Condition (M.Sc. thesis, Haramaya University).
Baldwin, E. A., Nisperos-Carriedo, M., Shaw, P. E., & Burns, J. K. (1995a). Effect of coatings and prolonged storage conditions on fresh orange flavor volatiles, degrees brix, and ascorbic acid levels. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 43(5), 1321–1331. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf00053a033
Baldwin, E. A., Nisperos‐Carriedo, M. O., & Baker, R. A. (1995b). Use of edible coatings to preserve quality of lightly (and slightly) processed products. Critical Reviews in Food Science & Nutrition, 35(6), 509–524. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408399509527712
Banks, N. H., Dadzie, B. K., & Cleland, D. J. (1993). Reducing gas exchange of fruits with surface coatings. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 3(3), 269–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/0925-5214(93)90013-O
Bisen, A., Pandey, S. K., & Patel, N. (2012). Effect of skin coatings on prolonging shelf life of kagzi lime fruits (Citrus aurantifolia Swingle). Journal of Food Science and Technology, 49(6), 753–759. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-011-0288-z
Cavalcanti, A. L., de Oliveira, P. S., de Araújo Evangelista, A. P., Vieira, F. F., Granville-Garcia, A. F., & Cavalcanti, C. L. (2008). pH and total soluble solid content in concentrated and diluted in natura tropical fruit juices. Acta Stomatologica Croatica, 42(3), 249–255.
Chen, C., Peng, X., Chen, J., Gan, Z., & Wan, C. (2021). Mitigating effects of chitosan coating on postharvest senescence and energy depletion of harvested pummelo fruit response to granulation stress. Food Chemistry, 348, 129113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2021.129113
de Jesús Dávila-Aviña, J. E., Villa-Rodríguez, J., Cruz-Valenzuela, R., Rodríguez-Armenta, M., Espino-Díaz, M., Ayala-Zavala, J. F., & González-Aguilar, G. (2011). Effect of edible coatings, storage time and maturity stage on overall quality of tomato fruits. American Journal of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, 6(1), 162–171. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajabssp.2011.162.171
Di Matteo, A., Simeone, G. D. R., Cirillo, A., Rao, M. A., & Di Vaio, C. (2021). Morphological characteristics, ascorbic acid and antioxidant activity during fruit ripening of four lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F.) cultivars. Scientia Horticulturae, 276, 109741. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2020.109741
El-Mougy, N. S., Abdel-Kader, M. M., & Aly, M. H. (2012). Effect of a new chemical formula on postharvest decay incidence in citrus fruit. Journal of Plant Protection Research, 52(4), 441–448. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10045-012-0044-8
Elbehery, N. H., Amr, A. E.-G. E., Kamel, A. H., Elsayed, E. A., & Hassan, S. S. (2019). Novel potentiometric 2, 6-dichlorophenolindo-phenolate (DCPIP) membrane-based sensors: Assessment of their input in the determination of total phenolics and ascorbic acid in beverages. Sensors, 19(9), 2058. https://doi.org/10.3390/s19092058
Fadeyibi, A., Adeshina, J. M., Fadiji, T., Agboola, S., Ayilara, O. J., & Olagunju, O. A. (2025). Postharvest preservation of tomatoes using a Moringa‐based bioactive coating and lemon peel–derived nanofluid. Journal of Food Quality, 2025(1), 6591538. https://doi.org/10.1155/2025/6591538
Gol, N. B., Chaudhari, M. L., & Rao, T. R. (2015). Effect of edible coatings on quality and shelf life of carambola (Averrhoa carambola L.) fruit during storage. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(1), 78–91. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13197-013-0988-x
Hayet, F. (2025). Final Year Dissertation, University of Blida.
Huang, Q., Wan, C., Zhang, Y., Chen, C., & Chen, J. (2021). Gum arabic edible coating reduces postharvest decay and alleviates nutritional quality deterioration of ponkan fruit during cold storage. Frontiers in Nutrition, 8, 717596. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2021.717596
Hussain, S. B., Shi, C.-Y., Guo, L.-X., Kamran, H. M., Sadka, A., & Liu, Y.-Z. (2017). Recent advances in the regulation of citric acid metabolism in citrus fruit. Critical Reviews in Plant Sciences, 36(4), 241–256. https://doi.org/10.1080/07352689.2017.1402850
Islam, M., Sinha, A. S. K., & Prasad, K. (2026). Comparative evaluation of LDPE and functionalized PLA/starch bi-layer films with modified lignin nanoparticles and grapefruit flavedo extracts for extending green grape shelf life. Journal of Packaging Technology and Research, 10, 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41783-025-00308-x
Islam, M. K., Khan, M., Sarkar, M., Absar, N., & Sarkar, S. (2013). Changes in acidity, TSS, and sugar content at different storage periods of the postharvest mango (Mangifera indica L.) influenced by Bavistin DF. International Journal of Food Science, 2013, 939385. https://doi.org/10.1155/2013/939385
Jama, S. O., Lufu, R., Opara, U. L., Crouch, E., & Tsige, A. A. (2026). Edible coatings for fresh fruits: Functional roles, optimization strategies, and analytical perspectives. Plants, 15(1), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15010132
Janisiewicz, W. J., & Conway, W. S. (2010). Combining biological control with physical and chemical treatments to control fruit decay after harvest. Stewart Postharvest Review, 6(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.2212/spr.2010.1.3
Joardder, M. U., & Masud, M. H. (2019). Food Preservation in Developing Countries: Challenges and Solutions. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-22238-3
Joshi, P., Ojha, B. R., & Kafle, A. (2020). Effect of different postharvest treatments on prolonging shelf life of Citrus reticulata Blanco. Nepalese Horticulture, 14(1), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3126/nh.v14i1.35338
Kader, A. A. (2008). Flavor quality of fruits and vegetables. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 88(11), 1863–1868. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.3293
Kader, A. A., & Barrett, D. M. (1996). Classification, composition of fruits, and postharvest maintenance of quality. In Processing Fruits: Science and Technology (Vol. 1, pp. 1–24). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420048773.ch1
Kubheka, S. F., Tesfay, S. Z., Mditshwa, A., & Magwaza, L. S. (2020). Evaluating the efficacy of edible coatings incorporated with moringa leaf extract on postharvest of ‘Maluma’ avocado fruit quality and its biofungicidal effect. HortScience, 55(4), 410–415. https://doi.org/10.21273/HORTSCI14318-19
Kumar, N., Upadhyay, A., & Shukla, S. (2024). Effects of essential oils and ultrasonic treatments on properties of edible coatings and their application on citrus fruits. Starch‐Stärke, 76(3-4), 2300104. https://doi.org/10.1002/star.202300104
Kumar, P., & Sethi, S. (2018). Edible coating for fresh fruit: A review. International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences, 7(5), 2619–2626. https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.705.304
Langa, S. (2018). Effects of Edible Coatings and Moringa Extracts on Postharvest Quality of Papaya Fruits (M.Sc. dissertation, University of KwaZulu-Natal).
Lentzou, D., Xanthopoulos, G., Templalexis, C., & Kaltsa, A. (2021). The transpiration and respiration as mechanisms of water loss in cold storage of figs. Food Research, 5(2), 109–118. https://doi.org/10.26656/fr.2017.5(2).435
Li, H., Pidakala, P., Billing, D., & Burdon, J. (2016). Kiwifruit firmness: Measurement by penetrometer and non-destructive devices. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 120, 127–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2016.06.007
Liu, Y., Heying, E., & Tanumihardjo, S. A. (2012). History, global distribution, and nutritional importance of citrus fruits. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety, 11(6), 530–545.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1541-4337.2012.00201.x
Maftoonazad, N., & Ramaswamy, H. S. (2019). Application and evaluation of a pectin-based edible coating process for quality change kinetics and shelf-life extension of lime fruit (Citrus aurantifolium). Coatings, 9(5), 285. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings9050285
Magwaza, L. S. (2013). Non-destructive Prediction and Monitoring of Postharvest Quality of Citrus Fruit (Ph.D. dissertation, Stellenbosch University).
Magwaza, L. S., Mditshwa, A., Tesfay, S. Z., & Opara, U. L. (2017). An overview of preharvest factors affecting vitamin C content of citrus fruit. Scientia Horticulturae, 216, 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scienta.2016.12.021
Mahadeo, M. V. A. (2023). Studies on Extension of Shelf Life of Fresh and Minimally Processed Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis Osbeck.) Cv. Phule Mosambi (Ph.D. dissertation, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth).
Malik, A. U., Khan, A. S., Ahmad, I., & Singh, Z. (2017). Postharvest handling of fruits and vegetables. In Horticulture Science and Technology.
Masoom, M., Kamran, M., Iftikhar, N., Pirzad, Z., Hanif, M., & Bakhtiar, M. (2024). Synergistic effects of chitosan and Moringa leaf extract enhanced the post-harvest quality of sweet orange fruits (Citrus sinensis L.). African Journal of Biological Sciences, 6(7), 1903–1914. https://doi.org/10.48047/AFJBS.6.7.2024.1903-1914
Miles, E. A., & Calder, P. C. (2021). Effects of citrus fruit juices and their bioactive components on inflammation and immunity: A narrative review. Frontiers in Immunology, 12, 712608. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.712608
Mthembu, S. S., Magwaza, L. S., Tesfay, S. Z., & Mditshwa, A. (2024). Advancing fruit preservation: Ecofriendly treatments for controlling fruit softening. Horticulturae, 10(9), 904.https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10090904
Muhl, Q. E. (2014). Flowering, Fruit Growth and Intracellular Storage Component Formation in Developing Moringa Oleifera Lam. Seed as Influenced by Irrigation (Ph.D. dissertation, University of Pretoria).
Nadia, M. (1998). Investigations on the Improvement of Sweet Orange Production in Semi-Arid Region of West Bengal (Ph.D. dissertation, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya).
Nasir, A. Chillies, Dairy and Mangoes: The Food Processing Sector in Pakistan.
Naveed, F., Nawaz, A., Ali, S., & Ejaz, S. (2024). Xanthan gum coating delays ripening and softening of jujube fruit by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing cell wall polysaccharides disassembly. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 209, 112689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2023.112689
Ngoko Tchamba, E.-I., Tybussek, T., Muranyi, P., Nguetsop, V. F., Aghofack-Nguemezi, J., & Schwab, W. (2024). The combined effect of lemon peel extract and calcium chloride on the physical and biochemical quality parameters of the dessert banana (Musa acuminata var. Dwarf Cavendish) fruit. Agriculture, 14(2), 222. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14020222
Odetayo, T. (2021). Development of Nanoparticle-Enriched Edible Coatings to Improve Fruit Quality and Extend the Shelf Life of Cavendish Bananas (Master's thesis, University of Johannesburg).
Özcan, M. (2020). Moringa spp: Composition and bioactive properties. South African Journal of Botany, 129, 25–31. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2018.11.017
Palou, L., Valencia-Chamorro, S. A., & Pérez-Gago, M. B. (2015). Antifungal edible coatings for fresh citrus fruit: A review. Coatings, 5(4), 962–986. https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings5040962
Pangallo, S., Li Destri Nicosia, M. G., Scibetta, S., Strano, M. C., Cacciola, S. O., Belgacem, I., Agosteo, G. E., & Schena, L. (2021). Preharvest and postharvest applications of a pomegranate peel extract to control citrus fruit decay during storage and shelf life. Plant Disease, 105(4), 1013–1018.https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-20-1920-RE
Peralta-Ruiz, Y., Tovar, C. D. G., Sinning-Mangonez, A., Coronell, E. A., Marino, M. F., & Chaves-Lopez, C. (2020). Reduction of postharvest quality loss and microbiological decay of tomato “Chonto” (Solanum lycopersicum L.) using chitosan-e essential oil-based edible coatings under low-temperature storage. Polymers, 12(8), 1822. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12081822
Perez-Vazquez, A., Barciela, P., Carpena, M., & Prieto, M. A. (2023). Edible coatings as a natural packaging system to improve fruit and vegetable shelf life and quality. Foods, 12(19), 3570. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12193570
Prasad, K. (2015). Non-destructive quality analysis of fruits. In Postharvest Quality Assurance of Fruits: Practical Approaches for Developing Countries (pp. 239–258). Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2721-2_10
Qadri, R., Azam, M., Khan, I., Yang, Y., Ejaz, S., Akram, M. T., & Khan, M. A. (2020). Conventional and modern technologies for the management of post-harvest diseases. In Plant Disease Management Strategies for Sustainable Agriculture through Traditional and Modern Approaches (pp. 137–172). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35957-7_6
Rashid, M., Ahmad, S., Khan, A., & Ali, B. (2020). Comparative efficacy of some botanical extracts and commercial coating materials for improving the storage life and maintain quality of Kinnow mandarin (Citrus reticulata L.). Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 18(1), 1333–1347. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1801_13331347
Rathore, H. A., Masud, T., Sammi, S., & Majeed, S. (2010). Innovative approach of active packaging in cardboard carton and its effect on overall quality attributes such as weight loss, total soluble solids, pH, acidity and ascorbic acid contents of Chaunsa white variety of mango at ambient temperature during storage. Pakistan Journal of Nutrition, 9(5), 452–458.https://doi.org/10.3923/pjn.2010.452.458
Romanazzi, G., & Moumni, M. (2022). Chitosan and other edible coatings to extend shelf life, manage postharvest decay, and reduce loss and waste of fresh fruits and vegetables. Current Opinion in Biotechnology, 78, 102834. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copbio.2022.102834
Sangamesh, S. S. H., & Gangal, L. (2025). Edible coatings and shelf-life extension of fruits. In Postharvest Preservation Techniques.
Sanyaolu, A. (2016). Postharvest fungal deterioration of tomato (Lycopersicum esculentum MILL) and pepper (Capsicum annum L): The “ESA” connection. Science World Journal, 11(1), 1–10.
Shao, X., Tu, K., Tu, S., & Tu, J. (2012). A combination of heat treatment and chitosan coating delays ripening and reduces decay in “Gala” apple fruit. Journal of Food Quality, 35(2), 83–92.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1745-4557.2011.00429.x
Shivanna, S. K., Naik, N. L., Nataraj, B. H., & Rao, P. S. (2024). Moringa marvel: Navigating therapeutic insights and safety features for future functional foods. Journal of Food Measurement and Characterization, 18(6), 4940–4971. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11694-024-02559-w
Singh, J. (2017). Effect of Surface Coatings on Storage Life and Quality of Baramasi Lemon (Citrus limon L. Burm) Fruits (Ph.D. dissertation, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, India).
Strano, M. C. (2024). Innovative technologies and shelf-life extension of citrus fruit. In Recent Advances in Postharvest Technologies (Vol. 1, pp. 83–126). Springer, Cham.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48228-1_4
Strano, M. C., Altieri, G., Allegra, M., Di Renzo, G. C., Paterna, G., Matera, A., & Genovese, F. (2022). Postharvest technologies of fresh citrus fruit: Advances and recent developments for the loss reduction during handling and storage. Horticulturae, 8(7), 612.https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae8070612
Su, Z., Hu, M., Gao, Z., Li, M., Yun, Z., Pan, Y., Zhang, Z., & Jiang, Y. (2019). Apple polyphenols delay senescence and maintain edible quality in litchi fruit during storage. Postharvest Biology and Technology, 157, 110976.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.postharvbio.2019.110976
Tarancón, P., Tárrega, A., González, M., & Besada, C. (2021). External quality of mandarins: Influence of fruit appearance characteristics on consumer choice. Foods, 10(9), 2188. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10092188
Thakur, D., Singh, K., & Rastogi, M. (2025). Evaluating storage stability of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and orange (Citrus sinensis) juices: A comparative temperature-dependent analysis. BIO Web of Conferences, 178, 03014. https://doi.org/10.1051/bioconf/202517803014
Villegas-Vazquez, E. Y., Padilla-Mendoza, J. R., Carrillo-Pérez, M. S., Gómez-Cansino, R., Altamirano-Garcia, L., Cruz Muñoz, R., Diaz-Badillo, A., López-Reyes, I., & Quintas-Granados, L. I. (2025). The “colors” of Moringa: Biotechnological approaches. Plants, 14(15), 2338.https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14152338
Wang, Y., Zhou, Z., Liu, Y., Pang, R., Zhao, X., Chen, Q., Guo, L., & Lu, B. (2025). Investigating the aroma transition during rapid mango ripening driven by dynamic catabolism of fatty acids. Food Chemistry, 491, 145326. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2025.145326
Wiggers, H. J., Sczesny, N. F., Chevallier, P., da Silva, C. M., Bueno, C. Z., Copes, F., & Mantovani, D. (2026). Long-term moxifloxacin release from a chitosan-based antibacterial coating on polyethylene for biomedical applications. RSC Advances, 16(7), 5758–5769.https://doi.org/10.1039/D5RA09320A
Wijewardane, R. M. N. A. (2022). Evaluation of the effect of fruit coating on shelf life extension of lime (Citrus aurantifolia) under different storage condition. Journal of Horticulture and Postharvest Research, 5(4), 337–348.https://doi.org/10.22077/jhpr.2022.4820.1250
Wu, Y., Wu, H., & Hu, L. (2024). Recent advances of proteins, polysaccharides and lipids-based edible films/coatings for food packaging applications: A review. Food Biophysics, 19(1), 29–45.https://doi.org/10.1007/s11483-023-09809-5
Xing, Y., Xu, Q., Yang, S. X., Chen, C., Tang, Y., Sun, S., Zhang, L., Che, Z., & Li, X. (2016). Preservation mechanism of chitosan-based coating with cinnamon oil for fruits storage based on sensor data. Sensors, 16(7), 1111.https://doi.org/10.3390/s16071111
Yu, K., Zhong, M., Zhu, W., Rashid, A., Han, R., Virk, M. S., Duan, K., Zhao, Y., & Ren, X. (2025). Advances in computer vision and spectroscopy techniques for non-destructive quality assessment of citrus fruits: A comprehensive review. Foods, 14(3), 386.https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14030386
Downloads
Published
Data Availability Statement
All relevant data are within the manuscript file.
Issue
Section
Categories
License
Copyright (c) 2026 A SOHAIL, Z HUSSAIN, A SHER, M SULEMAN, M HAMMAD, A ABBAS, J AHMAD, SHUH SHERAZI (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
