The Application of Aloe vera Gel as Coating Agent to Maintain the Quality of Tomatoes during Storage

Aloe vera is widely used to manufacture medicinal products, cosmetics, and hair treatments. The polysaccharide components in A. vera gel can be used as ingredients for edible films or coatings. The edible film can also be applied to fresh fruits and vegetables using the coating principle. Tomatoes are one of the fruit commodities that can be maintained in terms of quality during storage using an edible coating. This study aims to determine the effect of an edible coating made from A. vera on tomatoes’ physical, chemical, and organoleptic properties during storage. The A. vera gel was prepared and used for coating the tomatoes, and the tomatoes were then stored for twelve days. The analysis was conducted every three days, and a comparison with non-coated tomatoes was performed for tomatoes’ physicochemical and organoleptic properties. The results show that the application of A. vera as a coating agent could prolong the shelf life of tomatoes, as described in the ability to decrease moisture content and weight loss. The coated tomatoes had lower titratable acidity value, pH, and total soluble solid contents than the non-coated tomatoes. From the organoleptic test, the non-coated tomatoes were preferred by the panelists for color, but the glossiness, skin appearance, and texture of the coated tomatoes were preferred. The coating process could maintain the hardness of tomatoes and prevent the production of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and lycopene; thus, the antioxidant activity could be conserved.