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Abstract
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Post-harvest losses in date palm due to physiological, microbiological and biochemical
changes affect their nutritional and sensory characteristics. The current study introduces
sustainable and novel approach by utilizing green synthesized silver nanoparticle-based
coatings to enhance the shelf life of date palm fruits. In addition, other coatings (Lemon
peel oil and Corn starch-based coatings) were also applied on date palm fruit for
comparison purpose. After the application of coatings, the date palm fruits were eval-
uated for various physicochemical parameters over a period of 60-day storage. The
findings indicated that the application of AgNPs in different concentrations (0.02 mg/L,
0.03 mg/L, and 0.04 mg/L) effectively maintained the shelf life of date palm as compared
with other coating materials and control. After two-month storage, silver nanoparticle-
based coatings significantly reduced weight loss (3.89 ± 0.19%) and total soluble solids
(61.82 ± 0.54%) as compared with other treatments. In addition, fruit firmness (2.68 ±
0.06 N/mm), total phenolic content (144.47 ± 2.87 mgGAE/100 g), total flavonoid content
(107.09 ± 3.1 mgCE/100 g), tannins (40.65 ± 0.3 mg/100 g) and DPPH (65.54 ± 1.03%) was
well preserved in samples treated with T3 (0.04 mg/L AgNPs). Overall results showed that
T3 (0.04 mg/L AgNPs) has performed best compared with other treatments. Silver
nanoparticle-based coatings can reduce the postharvest losses of date palm fruits
effectively. The findings also suggested that silver nanoparticle-based coatings may
have potential application for others fruits to minimized the post-harvest losses.
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