Pengurangan Gejala Chilling Injury Buah Belimbing (Averrhoa carambola L.) dengan Perlakuan Aloe Vera Coating

Abstract

Temperature is one of the major factors affecting the metabolism of postharvest products physiology. Agricultural products cooled at a temperature lower than the optimum temperature will be damaged, known as chilling injury. In addition to storing at low temperatures, one way to maintain the quality of agricultural products is coating. Aloe vera gel is one material that can be used as a coating on the surface of fruits. Star fruit (Averrhoa carambola L.) has shape like a star. Star fruit marketing prospects in this country is estimated to become better and better. This is caused by population growth and the increasing number of consumers realizing the importance of nutrition from fruits. Quality of fruits can not be repaired, but can be maintained. Postharvest process of star fruit should be given appropriate handling attention, because the quality of the star fruit depending on harvest time and the postharvest process. The purpose of this research to study the application of aloe vera coating with 100% concentration on the star fruit stored at low temperatures to reduce of chilling injury symptoms. The results showed that star fruit with aloe vera coating treatment 100% stored at a temperature of 50C has a resistance to cold temperatures, showed by the chilling injury symptoms being longer better than the untreated fruit (control). Aloe vera treatment of star fruit effectively reduces the increase of ion leakage, and can also reduce weight loss, while does not give effect to the reduction of respiration.