Effect of Tea Tree Essential Oil and Sodium Alginate Composite Coating on the Quality of Fresh-Cut Apple.

The influence of sodium alginate and tea tree essential oil composite coating on the quality of fresh-cut Fuji apple from Shandong was studied. The changes of the weight loss rate, hardness, soluble solid content, color difference, ascorbic acid content, total phenol content and antioxidant activity of apples were measured during storage at 4 t after compositely coated with different concentration of tea tree essential oil (0.1%, 0.3% and 0.5% (V/V)) and 1.5% (m/V) sodium alginate. The results indicated that appropriate concentration of tea tree essential oil and sodium alginate composite coating could effectively maintain freshness and hardness of fresh-cut apples, reduce the increase of weight loss rate and the decline of total soluble solid contents, inhibit browning and slow down the decline in vitamin C, total phenolics contents and DPPH - scavenging activity. The fresh-cut apples treated by 1.5% sodium alginate and 0.1% tea tree oil composite coating had the best storage quality among all treatments. The results can provide reference for the further research and application of tea tree essential oil and sodium alginate composite coating on fresh-keeping of fresh-cut fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]