Post-harvest biopreservation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) using Moroccan Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana gum coating.

This study aims to evaluate the preservative effect of gum arabic (GA), obtained from Vachellia tortilis subsp. raddiana, a species native to the arid regions of southern Morocco, applied as a coating on tomato fruits (Solanum lycopersicum L. cv. Campbell 33). The evaluation of physico-chemical quality control parameters, as well as polyphenol richness, was favourable and complied with applicable international standards. GA concentrations ranging from 6.25% to 50% were tested for tomato treatments. Compared to untreated fruits, coatings at 25% and 50% (w/v) significantly reduced weight loss, contributed to the inhibition of polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and maintained pH and polyphenol stability. These results indicate that GA, particularly at higher concentrations, constitutes an effective natural coating capable of delaying ripening and preserving tomato quality during post-harvest storage.