"SHELF-LIFE ENHANCEMENT OF SOLO PAPAYA FRUITS ((Carica papaya L.)) TREATED WITH DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ALOE VERA (Aloe barbadensis Mill) GEL SOLUTION STORED AT AMBIENT CONDITION "

Papaya (Carica papaya L.) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to tropical America, with a range that extends from Asia, to America and Africa. Papaya is a climacteric fruit and is known for its high nutritional value. Solo papayas have a very short postharvest shelf-life. Under various conditions, for this reason, several researchers have developed postharvest storage procedures that help minimize quality deterioration and help prolong shelf-life while maintaining high sensory and nutritional attributes. Several conservation techniques have been studied and developed to increase the shelf-life of Solo papaya Thus, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Aloe Vera gel solution on the shelf life of Solo papaya. For centuries, many traditions and cultures have used Aloe Vera for medicinal purposes. Aloe Vera with its unique nutritional profile is being used for food and health globally. Due to its organic nature, Aloe Vera gel coating has created lot of interest for exploring its potential. This study was conducted on May 4-13, 2019 at the laboratory room of Mindanao state University, College of Agriculture General Santos City. The objective of the study was to prolong the shelf life and post-harvest quality of Solo papaya fruits as affected by Aloe Vera gel solution. This experiment was carried out in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments which was replicated three times. The treatments were the following: T1- Control (No application), T2-0.5% Aloe Vera gel solution, T3- 1% Aloe Vera gel solution, T4- 1.5% Aloe Vera gel solution. The result of the study disclosed a not significant effect among treatments means on shelf life and weight loss of Solo papaya fruits as affected by the application of Aloe Vera gel solution. The treatment Aloe Vera gel solution has no significant effect on the daily color changes, number of days until 50% ripening, number of days until full ripening, and physiological weight loss of solo variety papaya samples.