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Article

Edible Oil-Based Coatings Preserve Quality of Organic Apple cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ during Storage

by
Marcos Guerra
1,
Alejandra J. Porteous-Álvarez
2,
Víctor Marcelo
3,*,
Miguel Angel Sanz
4,
Álvaro Rodríguez-González
2 and
Pedro Antonio Casquero
2
1
Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS), Escuela de Ingeniería Agraria y Forestal, Campus de Ponferrada, Universidad de León, Avenida de Astorga s/n, 24401 Ponferrada, Spain
2
Grupo Universitario de Investigación en Ingeniería y Agricultura Sostenible (GUIIAS), Instituto de Medio Ambiente Recursos Naturales y Biodiversidad (INMARENBIO), Escuela de Ingeniería Agraria y Forestal (EIAF), Universidad de León, Avenida de Portugal 41, 24071 León, Spain
3
Dpto. Ingeniería y Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de León, Avda. Astorga s/n, 24001 Ponferrada, Spain
4
Laboratorio de Análisis Sensorial, Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León-Junta de Castilla y León, Ctra, Burgos km 119, 47071 Valladolid, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2024, 14(8), 1659; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081659 (registering DOI)
Submission received: 3 June 2024 / Revised: 22 July 2024 / Accepted: 26 July 2024 / Published: 29 July 2024
(This article belongs to the Section Agroecology Innovation: Achieving System Resilience)
Browse Figures
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Abstract

:
The effects of edible coatings on the quality of organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ during storage were investigated. Following harvest, the fruits were treated by dipping in various coatings: Nutropit® (14% CaO), Nutropit®+Xedabio (soybean lecithin-based (E322), 0.8%), Bioxeda (an eugenol-based product containing clove oil, 0.8%), Nutropit®+Bioxeda, and Semperfresh (SemperfreshTM, a sucrose-ester based coating, 1%). Organically grown apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ treated with edible oil-based coatings Xedabio or Bioxeda, combined with Nutropit®, improved postharvest longevity as they effectively delayed color changes in the fruit, and reduced weight loss, shriveling, superficial scald, and rot incidence. Additionally, the combined treatments minimized synthetic pesticide input in the apple agroecosystem, resulting in fruit with zero residues—a critical factor in organic apple production—while maintaining high consumer acceptance.

1. Introduction

In recent years, conventional farming has markedly enhanced plant productivity and reduced production expenses [1]. However, this intensification has had detrimental effects on environmental health [2]. Presently, society demands and advocates for more eco-friendly agricultural practices, aiming to reduce the application of chemical treatments and synthetic fertilizers in fruit production [3,4].
The heightened awareness of the negative environmental consequences of agriculture has driven the implementation of farming practices that harmonize agriculture production with ecological sustainability, such as organic farming [5,6]. This shift aligns with the increasing interest in organic food among consumers [7], who prefer safer, more controlled foods produced in environmentally friendly, authentic, and local systems. Organically produced foods are widely perceived to meet these demands, leading to less impact on the environment than other, more intensive systems [8]. Promoting strategies that minimize pesticide use is particularly crucial in apple agroecosystems, known for their high pesticide application rates [9]. While organic food is renowned for its minimal or zero pesticide residues and its contribution to environmental and economic sustainability [10], it is not without its drawbacks. Organically grown apples, for example, are prone to higher incidences of storage rots [11], compounded by the limited availability of fungicides in organic apple production [12,13].
The deterioration of apples during storage is attributed to various factors such as weight loss, color degradation, softening, watercore, scald disorder, and the loss of TSS (Total Soluble Solids) associated with increased ethylene production [14,15]. Consumers have shown an increased preference for organic and locally grown apples [16], demanding fruits with higher firmness, quality index, and better color, factors that often translate to improved taste [17,18]. Moreover, in response to heightened consumer demand for products grown without synthetic chemicals, there has been a growing interest in alternative crop protection agents such as plant-based oils [13,19]. Edible coatings have emerged as a promising approach to enhance the microbial safety of fresh produce [20,21,22,23,24]. These coatings, often incorporating pure essential oils such as thymol, eugenol, or menthol, have shown effectiveness in maintaining fruit quality and reducing the need for synthetic fungicides [25]. Additionally, the use of chitosan, with and without antimicrobials, has been demonstrated to enhance the microbiological safety of cantaloupes [23]. Coatings containing eugenol or soy lecithin are increasingly utilized to prolong the freshness of fruit and vegetables [26,27]. Amiri et al. (2008) [28] suggested that the use of heated lecithin-based eugenol could be an effective substitute for conventional fungicides in managing postharvest diseases in apples. Moreover, the application of E. caryophyllata oils, primarily composed of eugenol, to apricot fruit has shown significant effects on fruit quality parameters such as weight loss, fruit firmness, TSS, TA (Titratable Acidity), and TSS/TA [24].
Despite their potential, the practical application of oil-based coatings is limited by factors such as cost and undesirable side effects on quality [29]. Unfortunately, there remains a gap in understanding the effect of oil-based coatings on the postharvest quality and overall acceptance of organically grown apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’. Hence, this work aims to evaluate the effect of edible coatings on the quality of organically grown ‘Golden delicious’ apples during storage.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Plant Material and Experimental Design

The study was conducted at a commercial orchard located in El Bierzo valley (León, Castilla y León, Spain), managed by organic agricultural practices since 2015. The orchard comprised 16-year-old trees on the EM-9 rootstock, spaced at 4 × 2.5 m intervals, and trained to a regular palmette conformation. The experiment was carried out over two consecutive growing seasons, 2020 (year 1) and 2021 (year 2) as a means of replicating the experiment over time.
The research works involved one-factor experiments conducted in randomized complete block designs. Six postharvest treatments were applied, with each treatment replicated three times to analyze their effects on apple fruit quality. Each replicate consisted of seven individual trees.

2.2. Edible Coatings

Apple fruit cv. ‘Golden delicious’ (Malus domestica Borkh) was harvested at commercial maturity, with slight variations in maturity stages between year 1 (62.5 N; TSS = 11.8; Starch Index = 8; TA = 0.36) and year 2 (76.8 N; TSS = 13.4; Starch Index = 5; TA = 0.57) to encompass a broader range of ripeness. Consequently, physiological disorders related to both the early and late maturity stages would be more likely to manifest in each of the two years, allowing for the efficacy of the coatings on a wider range of maturity to be tested.
The fruits were transported to the Postharvest Laboratory at the University of León, Ponferrada, immediately following harvest. Unblemished fruits from each replicate were then selected and grouped into lots of 20 apples for the subsequent instrumental and overall acceptance analysis. Prior to storage, the lots were treated by immersing the fruit for 120 s, based on the manufacturers’ instructions, to ensure the complete coverage of the fruit with the following coating solutions: Nutropit®, Nutropit®+Xedabio, Bioxeda, Nutropit®+Bioxeda, and Semperfresh. The coatings were prepared with water following the manufacturer’s instructions.
The Nutropit® coating was prepared by diluting Nutropit® (Biagro S.L., Valencia, Spain), which contains 14% CaO (w/w), with water (3:1000 (v/v)) to achieve a concentration of 0.042%. This calcium chloride source, recognized for its zero-pesticide residue product and permitted in organic farming, was selected due to its low toxicity and potential suitability for organic horticulture [30].
The Xedabio coating was formulated by diluting Xedabio (Nutea S.L., Valencia, Spain), a concentrated soybean lecithin-based emulsion (E322), with water (8:1000 (w/v)) to a concentration of 0.8%.
Bioxeda, a eugenol-based product containing clove oil, was prepared by diluting Bioxeda (Nutea S.L., Valencia, Spain), at 18% (w/v) with water (8:1000 (v/v)) to achieve a concentration of 0.144%.
The Semperfresh coating was created by diluting 50% SemperfreshTM (AgriCoat Industries Co Ltd., Berkshire, England), a sucrose-ester-based coating concentrate, with water (1:100 (v/v)) to achieve a concentration of 0.5%. Semperfresh has been extensively utilized in the fresh pear industry for reducing bruising, minimizing weight loss, and preserving the green color during postharvest storage [31].
Apple lots dipped in running water but without coatings served as control.
After application, the fruits were left on the plastic boxes to drain off at room temperature for 24 h and were then cold-stored in the same plastic boxes.

2.3. Instrumental Fruit Quality

Following cold storage at 1.5 °C with 90% relative humidity for intervals of 9 weeks and subsequent shelf-life periods of 7 days at 20 °C, the lots consisting of 20 fruit per experimental unit were subjected to assessment for various quality parameters including weight loss, shriveling, skin ground color, firmness, TSS, and TA. Skin ground color was measured using a colorimeter (Minolta, CR-200, Ahrensburg, Germany) with a D65 light source. The measurements were conducted at three equidistant points along the equatorial axis of each fruit. The results of the skin ground color were expressed using the CIE L*, a*, and b* system, and the hue angle (h°) was calculated as h° = tan − 1 b*/a*. The target color was calculated as a*. Flesh firmness was measured using a penetrometer (Effegi TR Turoni & C., Forlì, Italy) equipped with an 11.1 mm diameter plunger using a hand-operated press. The measurements were performed at two equatorial positions on each fruit at 180°, and the results were reported in newtons (N). For TSS and TA analysis, fruit juice was extracted from every 5 apples by homogenizing the fruit flesh in a blender. The TSS of the juice was measured using a digital refractometer (Atago, DR-A1, Tokyo, Japan). TA was determined by titrating 10 mL of juice with NaOH 0.1 N until reaching pH 8.2. The acidity of apple fruit was reported as a percentage of malic acid.

2.4. Storage Disorders

Fruit quality was further assessed by evaluating the incidence (%) of shriveling and rot incidence. The number of affected fruits was recorded using a binary scale (0–1) based on the presence of visible symptoms: 0 indicated no visible symptoms, while 1 indicated the presence of visible symptoms on the fruit surface. The severity of superficial scald was measured by categorizing the extent of peel browning into four grades: grade 0, no browning; grade 1, 0% < browning area ≤ 25%; grade 2, 25% < browning area ≤ 50%; and grade 3, browning area > 50%. The Superficial Scald Index was calculated using the following formula: =∑(scald level × number of fruit at the level)/(3 × total number of fruit) [32].

2.5. Russeting and Overall Acceptance

After 27 weeks of storage, followed by an additional 7 days at 20 °C, assessments were conducted on the lots for russeting and overall acceptance. These analyses were performed by a panel of 10 judges affiliated with the ITACYL (Agriculture Technology Institute of Castilla and Léon) trained to evaluate apple fruit attributes. To facilitate quantitative analysis, each judge was instructed to visually assess the skin russet coverage of the fruit using a discrete five-point scale. This scale ranged from 1, indicating minimal russeting (‘Golden Smoothee’ apple free from russeting was used as an indicator), to 5, indicating a high russeted area (apple ‘Reinette Grise du Canada’, totally covered in russet was used as an indicator). Additionally, the overall acceptance was evaluated using a 5-point hedonic scale, with a score of 1 representing the lowest level of acceptance (apples showing the signs of under- or over-ripeness were used as indicators) and a score of 5 denoting the highest level of acceptance (apples at optimal ripeness were used as indicators) [33]. The scales were anchored at the end points of the attributes with the labels ‘very low’ and ‘very high’, and included intermediate points.

2.6. Statistical Analysis

Each year, a completely randomized design was implemented, incorporating a single treatment factor comprising 5 coating formulations alongside non-coated fruits serving as controls. This design included 3 replications per treatment. Data analysis was performed using a one-way ANOVA, followed by mean comparisons utilizing Fisher’s least significant difference (LSD) test to identify significant differences (p < 0.05) among the treatments. All the statistical analyses were carried out utilizing the SAS version 9.1.2 software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA).

3. Results

In general terms, Bioxeda, Semperfresh, or Nutropit® alone did not significantly influence the weight loss of the apples in comparison to the control. However, the coatings Nutropit®+Xedabio and Nutropit®+Bioxeda proved effective in reducing weight loss in the apples during both years, particularly after 18 weeks of storage and at the conclusion of the storage period (Figure 1). Specifically, in year 1, Nutropit®+Xedabio demonstrated efficacy in reducing weight loss across all the storage stages.
Shriveling became apparent in all the treatments after 18 weeks and at the end of storage in year 1, whereas during year 2, shriveling symptoms were barely noticeable. The treatments most effective in reducing the incidence of shriveling were Nutropit®+Xedabio and Nutropit®+Bioxeda (Table 1).
Additionally, the coatings Nutropit®+Xedabio and Nutropit®+Bioxeda were also effective in decreasing superficial scald and rot incidence during year 2, with these conditions not appearing in year 1 (Table 1).
Nutropit®+Bioxeda proved to be the most effective treatment in delaying the colour evolution of the apples during storage. Significant differences were found between this treatment and the control in both years (Figure 2). The Nutropit® and Nutropit®+Xedabio treatments also contributed to retaining color in the apples, albeit to a lesser extent.
Overall, none of the treatments had a notable impact on firmness, TSS, or TA. The treatments did not result in significant variations in skin russet coverage in either year. However, significant differences were found between the two years in mean russet coverage values, with the apples in year 1 (1.65a) exhibiting higher russet values compared to those in year 2 (1.31b).
In both years, the overall acceptance of organically grown apples treated with the coatings Nutropit®+Bioxeda and Nutropit®+Xedabio remained high (values around 3.5 on a 5-point scale) throughout the storage plus the ripening period (Figure 3).

4. Discussion

Edible coatings are primarily utilized to reduce gas exchange, thereby minimizing weight loss during transportation or storage [26]. Similarly, calcium treatments are effective in retaining fruit weight in apples by slowing down the transpiration rate [34]. In organic production, it becomes paramount to utilize calcium sources with minimal or no toxicity to the environment [35]. Nevertheless, it is well established that organic pest control strategies are generally less effective than synthetic pesticides [36].
In our experiment, the ‘zero pesticide residue’ Nutropit® alone was insufficient to decrease weight loss. However, when combined with soybean-based Xedabio or eugenol-based Bioxeda, it proved effective in reducing weight loss during storage in organically grown apples. Müller and Fellman (2007) [37] observed decreased rates of weight loss in ‘Golden delicious’ apples treated with soybean oil, with applications closer to harvest proving most beneficial. Soybean oil emulsion applied pre-harvest also reduced the occurrence and intensity of cuticular cracks in vulnerable cultivars, thus decreasing the weight loss rate during storage. The authors reported that cracks in ‘Golden delicious’ apples became more pronounced with maturity. This could explain the higher weight loss observed in year 1 apples harvested at a more advanced stage of maturity compared to those harvested at a lower maturity stage.
Similar to our findings, D’Aquino et al. (2012) [38] reported that lecithin-based Xedabio, in combination with fludioxonil, improved the storability of pomegranates, maintaining low commercial deterioration during the first 6 weeks of storage and marketing conditions. However, weight loss and peel disorders significantly impacted visual appearance after 12 weeks of storage, even in Xedabio-treated fruit.
Although eugenol has been found effective in reducing weight loss in cherry fruit, sweet tomatoes, and table grapes [25,39,40], our experiment showed that eugenol-based Bioxeda alone did not decrease weight loss in apples. Hoa and Ducamp (2008) [26] described Bioxeda 2% as the least-effective coating in reducing weight loss, likely due to its primarily antifungal properties and limited impact on fruit biochemistry.
While the Semperfresh coatings were expected to provide a barrier by creating a moisture-sealing layer on the fruit surface, increasing resistance to water vapor diffusion, our results did not demonstrate a benefit on weight loss in apples, consistent with the findings in kiwi cv. Hardy [41]. This lack of efficacy may be attributed to enhanced water infiltration through the fruit’s protective cuticular layer, as reported by Fisk et al. (2008) [41]. Zhou et al. (2008) [42] also noted that Semperfresh coatings induced greater weight loss than the other coatings due to their hydrophilic nature.
It is well documented that russeted fruit skins exhibit higher permeability to water vapor, resulting in increased postharvest water loss and greater susceptibility to shriveling [43]. A notable example of this phenomenon is the ‘Golden Russet’ cultivar, known for its pronounced shriveling [44]. Moreover, while russeting is primarily determined by genetic factors, environmental factors and orchard management practices play a significant role in its development [45]. Indeed, in our experiment, the fruit samples in year 1 exhibited notably higher skin russet coverage values compared to year 2. Additionally, the year 1 samples reached a more advanced stage of maturity. This confluence of factors, including high skin russet coverage and an advanced stage of maturity, collectively contributed to the increased weight loss and shriveling observed in the year 1 apple fruit. Consequently, it is advisable not to postpone harvest time in russeted fruit cultivars or during years characterized by extensive russeted skin coverage, as this may lead to advanced stages of maturity and subsequent heightened weight loss during storage.
Hertog (2002) [46] reported that weight loss of approximately 3–10% results in shriveling in apples. In our work, it could be established a threshold of weight loss (around 8%) below which shriveling did not become apparent. When weight loss exceeded this threshold of 8%, shriveling became visible. This occurred after 18 weeks in year 1 but did not occur in year 2. In these instances, the coatings Nutropit®+Xedabio and Nutropit®+Bioxeda proved effective in reducing both weight loss and shriveling, with shriveling being reduced by up to 20%.
The positive effects observed with the treatments Nutropit®+Xedabio and Nutropit®+Bioxeda concerning storage disorders (shriveling and scald), and the incidence of rot support the conclusions of D’Aquino et al. (2012) [38]. They reported that the postharvest application of lecithin-based Xedabio, in combination with fludioxonil, enhanced the storability of pomegranates. As a result, commercial deterioration (including weight loss, husk scald, and decay) remained low during the initial 6 weeks of storage and the following simulated marketing conditions. Additionally, Bauchot and John (1996) [47] demonstrated that apples treated with ascorbyl palmitate plus Semperfresh were effective in delaying scald development after storage plus room temperature conditions. However, similar to our findings, Bauchot and John (1996) [47] also observed that Semperfresh alone led to scald incidence comparable to that of the control.
The antimicrobial properties of these natural compounds are well documented, with their action mechanisms linked to the disruption of membrane integrity [48,49]. Clove extract, as an alternative to synthetic fungicides, owes its effectiveness to its eugenol content, which exhibits high activity against microorganisms such as Penicillium spp. or B. cinerea [50,51,52] on postharvest apple fruits. Additionally, Amiri et al. [28] demonstrated that a combination of eugenol and soy lecithin suppressed phytotoxic symptoms caused by eugenol on apples and lowered the incidence of diseases caused by P. vagabunda, P. expansum, M. fructigena, and B. cinerea to under 6, 7, 2, and 4%, respectively, following 6 months of storage at 2 °C.
Guerreiro et al. (2017) [53] observed that edible coatings containing sodium alginate with eugenol extended the shelf-life of fresh-cut apples by reducing microbial spoilage while maintaining sensory and nutritional attributes. Similarly, the enrichment of alginate or pectin-based edible coatings with essential oil eugenol proved beneficial in enhancing the postharvest quality and storage longevity of Arbutus unedo L. fresh fruit [54] and strawberries [55]. These coatings better preserved sensory attributes and reduced microbial spoilage while maintaining overall acceptability. Consistent with these findings, our study showed that oil-based coatings comprising the combination of Nutropit®+Xedabio or Nutropit®+Bioxeda decreased the incidence of disorders without compromising the fruit’s acceptability. These results align with our previous work, where Nutropit® alone did not effectively reduce the incidence of disorders during storage in high-acidity apple cv. ‘Reinette du Canada’. However, when Nutropit® was combined with another factor—in that case, summer pruning—it proved effective in reducing the incidence of storage disorders throughout storage while maintaining a high overall acceptability [30].
Color is recognized as a primary factor influencing the quality judgment of fruits, significantly impacting consumer acceptability [56]. In this study, color evaluation using the parameter a* proved to be a reliable indicator of skin color evolution, with notable changes observed during postharvest storage. Furthermore, the application of Nutropit®+Bioxeda, Nutropit®+Xedabio, or Nutropit® led to a postponement in skin color changes relative to the control apples. Eugenol has been shown to enhance the beneficial effects of modified atmosphere packaging in delaying color changes in table grapes [40] and sweet cherries [39]. Hoa and Ducamp (2008) [26] reported that mango fruit treated with Xedabio exhibited lower skin color values (a* and b*) compared to untreated fruit, while no significant differences between the control fruit and those treated with Bioxeda were observed. Similarly, Zhang et al. (2015) [29] found that color changes in cantaloupes were delayed after coating with cinnamon bark oil plus soybean oil. Although Semperfresh did not effectively retain color in the apples, other studies have touted Semperfresh as an effective coating for delaying apple ripening, as evidenced by the retention of green tissue colors [57], or for reducing the loss of desirable green color in asparagus [58].
While eugenol has been demonstrated to maintain the firmness of sweet tomatoes or table grapes [39,40], our study found that eugenol-based Bioxeda did not affect the flesh firmness of organically grown apples during storage, nor did the other treatments. This observation is consistent with findings by [26] in mango fruit, where no significant variations in firmness were detected between the control fruit and those treated with Bioxeda or Xedabio. Similarly, [19] Müller et al. (2010) reported that a preharvest treatment with an emulsion containing 1% soybean oil did not affect the fruit firmness of ‘Golden delicious’ apples. While Semperfresh application has been shown to maintain firmness in quinces [59] and increase firmness in apples [57] or cherries [60] during storage, our study did not observe the preservation of apple firmness with Semperfresh, consistent with findings by Deng et al. (2017) [31] in pears.
Some authors have suggested improvements in terms of TSS and TA quality parameters during storage with the coatings applied in this work. For instance, Hoa and Ducamp (2008) [26] found that Xedabio was useful in retaining the biochemical changes in mango fruit in terms of TA and TSS. However, consistent with our findings, no significant effects were observed in TSS or TA in cherries treated with eugenol [25]; apples treated with clove oil, whose main antimicrobial agent is eugenol [50,61]; or ‘Golden delicious’ apples treated with an emulsion containing 1% soybean oil [19]. While Semperfresh has been reported to increase TA in cherries [60] or apples [57] during storage, it was not effective in preserving the biochemical changes in pears in terms of TA and TSS [31,42], nor in kiwifruit cv. Hardy in terms of TA [41].

5. Conclusions

The results of this study highlight the significant efficacy achieved through the combination of Nutropit®, an approved postharvest treatment in organic farming, with essential oil-based coatings Bioxeda or Xedabio. Notably, this combined approach yielded a substantial reduction in fruit spoilage during storage while maintaining the overall acceptance of the fruit. These innovative treatments played a crucial role in impeding the progression of fruit color changes, a critical aspect of fruit quality assessment pivotal for consumer satisfaction. Moreover, they effectively mitigated the incidence of storage disorders in organically grown apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’.
The combination of these edible coatings resulted in a marked reduction in weight loss, thereby reducing shriveling by up to 20% in the years characterized by high susceptibility to weight loss. Similarly, superficial scald was significantly diminished in the years when the fruit exhibited heightened vulnerability to this disorder. Additionally, rot incidence saw a notable decrease of up to 10%. Notably, the overall acceptance of the fruit treated with these coatings remained consistently high, with scores averaging around 3.5 on a 5-point scale.
Beyond the immediate benefits of enhancing postharvest longevity and maintaining consumer acceptance, these innovative combinations of edible coatings hold promise for revolutionizing apple cultivation practices. By significantly reducing the reliance on synthetic pesticides in apple orchards, they pave the way for the production of fruit with zero residues—an imperative consideration in the realm of organic apple farming.
In order to optimize the storage potential of the organically grown apple ‘Golden delicious’, especially in years characterized by high russeted skin coverage, it is recommended to harvest the fruit at an early stage of maturity.

Author Contributions

M.G.: conceptualization, methodology, investigation, resources, data curation, writing—original draft, and writing—review and editing. A.J.P.-Á.: writing—review and editing. V.M.: formal analysis, investigation, resources, and writing—review and editing. M.A.S.: methodology, investigation, and resources. Á.R.-G.: formal analysis, writing—review and editing. P.A.C.: formal analysis, writing—review and editing, and supervision. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by the Universidad de León through the ‘Programa propio de investigación de la Universidad de León ayudas a la investigación-2024’.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to the ‘Asociación Berciana de Agricultores’ and the orchardist for their professional cultivation of the experimental fruit trees and for allowing the sampling in their orchard.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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Agronomy 14 01659 g001
Figure 1. Effect of the edible oil-based coatings on the weight loss of organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ during storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C). This means within the same year and storage time followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to the LSD test (p < 0.05). Error bars represent + SD.
Figure 1. Effect of the edible oil-based coatings on the weight loss of organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ during storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C). This means within the same year and storage time followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to the LSD test (p < 0.05). Error bars represent + SD.
Agronomy 14 01659 g001
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Figure 2. Effect of the edible oil-based coatings on a* color parameter of the organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ during the storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C). The means within the same year and storage time followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to the LSD test (p < 0.05).
Figure 2. Effect of the edible oil-based coatings on a* color parameter of the organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ during the storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C). The means within the same year and storage time followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to the LSD test (p < 0.05).
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Agronomy 14 01659 g003
Figure 3. Effect of the edible oil-based coatings on overall acceptance of organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ at the end of the storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C). The means within the same year followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to the LSD test (p < 0.05).
Figure 3. Effect of the edible oil-based coatings on overall acceptance of organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ at the end of the storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C). The means within the same year followed by the same letter are not significantly different according to the LSD test (p < 0.05).
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Table 1. Effect of edible oil-based coatings on physiological disorders and rot incidence of organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ during storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C).
Table 1. Effect of edible oil-based coatings on physiological disorders and rot incidence of organic apple cv. ‘Golden delicious’ during storage plus ripening period (7 days at 20 °C).
Year 1 Year 2
Storage TimeTreatmentShrivelling (%)Shrivelling (%)Scald Index (%)Rot Incidence (%)
After 9 weeks
Control1.7 ± 2.9 a0.00.00.0
Nutropit®0.0 ± 0.0 a0.00.00.0
Nutropit®+Xedabio0.0 ± 0.0 a0.00.00.0
Bioxeda0.0 ± 0.0 a0.00.00.0
Nutropit®+Bioxeda0.0 ± 0.0 a0.00.00.0
Semperfresh0.0 ± 0.0 a0.00.00.0
After 18 weeks
Control20.0 ± 5.0 a0.00.00.0
Nutropit®18.3 ± 7.6 ab0.00.00.0
Nutropit®+Xedabio3.3 ± 5.7 c0.00.00.0
Bioxeda18.3 ± 11.6 ab0.00.00.0
Nutropit®+Bioxeda10.0 ± 0.0 bc0.00.00.0
Semperfresh23.3 ± 2.9 a0.00.00.0
After 27 weeks
Control41.7 ± 11.5 a1.7 ± 2.9 a12.6 ± 0.0 a10.0 ± 5.0 a
Nutropit®21.7 ± 2.9 b0.0 ± 0.0 a8.3 ± 5.0 ab5.0 ± 8.7 ab
Nutropit®+Xedabio23.3 ± 2.9 b0.0 ± 0.0 a7.0 ± 2.9 b1.7 ± 2.9 b
Bioxeda45.0 ± 13.2 a0.0 ± 0.0 a9.9 ± 7.6 ab6.7 ± 7.6 ab
Nutropit®+Bioxeda21.7 ± 7.6 b0.0 ± 0.0 a6.0 ± 0.0 b0.0 ± 0.0 b
Semperfresh43.3 ± 5.8 a1.7 ± 2.9 a12.1 ± 5.0 a10.0 ± 5.0 a
Different letters in a column within the same storage time denote values that are significantly different according to the LSD test (p < 0.05). Mean values ± standard deviations.
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MDPI and ACS Style

Guerra, M.; Porteous-Álvarez, A.J.; Marcelo, V.; Sanz, M.A.; Rodríguez-González, Á.; Casquero, P.A. Edible Oil-Based Coatings Preserve Quality of Organic Apple cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ during Storage. Agronomy 2024, 14, 1659. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081659

AMA Style

Guerra M, Porteous-Álvarez AJ, Marcelo V, Sanz MA, Rodríguez-González Á, Casquero PA. Edible Oil-Based Coatings Preserve Quality of Organic Apple cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ during Storage. Agronomy. 2024; 14(8):1659. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081659

Chicago/Turabian Style

Guerra, Marcos, Alejandra J. Porteous-Álvarez, Víctor Marcelo, Miguel Angel Sanz, Álvaro Rodríguez-González, and Pedro Antonio Casquero. 2024. "Edible Oil-Based Coatings Preserve Quality of Organic Apple cv. ‘Golden Delicious’ during Storage" Agronomy 14, no. 8: 1659. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy14081659

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