Effects of Gum Arabic-Calcium Chloride Composite Coating on Postharvest Quality and Antioxidant Properties of Cold-Stored Tarap (Artocarpus odoratissimus)

Artocarpus odoratissimus (tarap) is a tropical fruit native to Borneo and Mindanao and valued for its nutritional and economic benefits. However, its highly perishable nature and the absence of effective storage methods present significant challenges to maintaining quality and extending shelf-life. This study evaluated the effects of calcium chloride (CaCl₂), gum arabic (GA) and their combined application on the postharvest quality and antioxidant properties of tarap fruit during cold storage at 10±2°C and 85-90% relative humidity over three weeks. Four coating treatments were applied: (1) control (distilled water), (2) 3% CaCl2, (3) 5% GA, and (4) a combined treatment of 3% CaCl2 + 5% GA (CaCl₂-GA). The influence of these treatments on peel and pulp colour, firmness, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids concentration, ascorbic acid content, total phenolic content and antioxidant activity was assessed throughout storage. Results indicated that the combined CaCl₂–GA treatment was the most effective in reducing visual deterioration and preserving firmness in both peel and pulp from week 2 onward compared to the control. Coated fruits exhibited slower changes in pH, SSC and titratable acidity, indicating suppressed metabolic activity. The uncoated fruits initially showed the highest antioxidant activity and phenolic content, but these values declined rapidly during storage. In contrast, coated fruits maintained-more stable antioxidant properties over time. The CaCl₂–GA treatment extended the marketable shelf life of tarap fruit from approximately 7 days in uncoated fruit to 21 days under cold storage conditions. These findings suggest that the CaCl₂-GA composite coating synergistically enhances the postharvest quality, textural integrity and antioxidant stability of tarap fruit under cold storage, highlighting its potential as a sustainable and practical postharvest preservation strategy.

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