EFEITO DE REVESTIMENTOS COMESTÍVEIS NA QUALIDADE DO TOMATE CEREJA CULTIVADOS NOS SISTEMAS ORGÂNICO E CONVENCIONAL

Abstract

Cherry tomatoes belong to a new group of table cultivars, characterized by the quality of color and flavor, has grown in importance in the markets of large cities. When produced in the organic system, it has the advantage of adding value, having greater adhesiveness of the coverage due to the lack of pesticide action, proving to be more efficient in delaying the ripening of the fruit, which allows greater profitability for the producer. As fruits are fragile vegetable organs, they easily lose their quality, mainly due to the mechanical and physiological damage that can occur from the removal of the fruit from the plant to its consumption. Despite its high consumption around the world, the loss of this fruit during post-harvest is quite worrying. Edible coating is considered an eco-sustainable technology and has become an efficient alternative for increasing the post-harvest shelf life of fruits. In view of this high perishability of cherry tomatoes, the objective was to evaluate the effect of different edible coatings on the quality and shelf life of cherry tomatoes variety Sweet heaven, in an organic and conventional cultivation system. The coatings used were chitosan and cassava starch at a concentration of 3% and lactic acid at a concentration of 1.5%. The samples were stored at room temperature ± 27 ° C, for 20 days. The physicochemical evaluations were: pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, weight loss, lycopene content, reducing sugar, vitamin C, moisture, ash and microbiological: mold and yeast count, performed every 48 hours. The data were analyzed statistically by SISVAR using the Tukey test (p <0.05). According to the parameters analyzed, conventional cherry tomatoes need further studies, as these coverings were not efficient. However, it would be possible to use chitosan-based coverage for its antifungal and antimicrobial action for commercial use, given its cost benefit, preparation and simple application that can increase the useful life of organic cherry tomatoes. In addition, it can be a great ally in reducing post-harvest waste, adding commercial value to this product, thus helping the environment, traders and small producers.