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Research paper

Evaluation of the effect of sodium alginate combined with thyme essential oil on the postharvest shelf life of Washington navel orange (Citrus sinensis cv. Washington Navel)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/asphc.2026.5585
Submitted: 14 August 2025
Published: 01.06.2026

Abstract

Citrus fruits, belonging to the Rutaceae family, are among the most widely cultivated fruits worldwide. However, oranges are highly susceptible to postharvest quality deterioration during storage. Weight loss, firmness reduction, and biochemical changes are among the major factors limiting the shelf life of citrus fruits. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium alginate edible coatings enriched with thyme essential oil on the postharvest quality of Washington navel oranges. Fruits were treated with sodium alginate alone or in combination with thyme essential oil and stored at 20 ±2°C and 65 ±5% relative humidity for 60 days. The results demonstrated that coated fruits exhibited significantly lower weight loss and better firmness retention compared with untreated fruits. In addition, the coatings maintained higher levels of titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total phenolic content, flavonoids, and ascorbic acid throughout storage, leading to enhanced antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the combined application of sodium alginate and thyme essential oil effectively preserved cellular membrane integrity, as indicated by reduced ion leakage. Overall, sodium alginate coatings enriched with thyme essential oil can be considered a safe and effective strategy to delay physiological senescence and improve the postharvest quality of Washington navel oranges.

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