Vol. 9, Special Issue 9, Part W (2025)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of various edible surface coatings and packaging materials on the postharvest shelf life and quality of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) cv. winter dawn under ambient storage conditions. Sixteen treatment combinations involving five coatings (2% cassava starch, 2% guar gum, 2% beewax, 20% Aloe vera gel and 2% moringa leaf extract), three packaging materials (punnet boxes, 3-ply corrugated fibre board cartons and 90-gauge polypropylene film) and an untreated control were tested using a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. Results revealed that beewax coating combined with punnet box packaging (T₇) was most effective in reducing physiological loss in weight, maintaining fruit diameter, preserving total soluble solids and titratable acidity and extending shelf life compared to other treatments. Guar gum and cassava starch coatings with punnet packaging also performed well. These findings highlight the potential of edible coatings integrated with appropriate packaging as eco-friendly and sustainable strategies to enhance strawberry quality and extend shelf life during ambient storage.