Abstract:
This research was aimed to study browning inhibition and disease control in aromatic coconut
mesocarpby using oxalic acid and sodium chloride. Thearomatic coconuts were dipped in oxalic
acid at a concentration of 2.5 and 5% (w/v), and sodium chloride at concentration of 4 and 8% (w/v)
for 5 minutes, and compared with the fruit dipped in distilled water and 3% (w/v) sodium
metabisulfite for 5 minutes. The results showed that browning of aromatic coconut mesocarp could
be pretented, and disease could be controlled, by using the oxalic acid at bothconcentrations, while
sodium chloride could control disease, but could not inhibit browning ofaromatic coconut mesocarp.
Oxalic acid at a concentration of 2.5 and 5% (w/vlwere mixed with 4 and 8 % sodium chloride in
order to preventbrowning of aromatic coconut mesocarp and to control disease in the same. The
resultsshowedthat oxalic acid mixed with sodium chloride at all concentrations could control
browning and disease, and showed the same efficiency as sodium metabisulfite. Therefore, oxalic
acid at 2.5% (w/v) mixed with 4% sodium chloride was selected foruse in further
experimentation.combined with PVC wrappingand compared with the fruit dipped in distilled water
and 3% (w/v) sodium metabisulfite. The resultsshowed that the mixed solution of 2.5 % oxalic acid
and 4 % sodium chloride could prevent browning and disease the same as using of sodium
metabisulfitewith the lowest of triangle to L*,triangle to a*, triangle to b*. Hue angle, and browning score. Moreover, it
hadthe highest overall acceptance score from the panelists. It had polyphenol oxidase activity and
peroxidase activity lower than the fruit dipped in distilled water.Total soluble solid, pH, titratable
acidity, free fatty acid content, transmission value(%), and total bacteria, and acceptance of juice
aroma.taste and clearitywere not different compared with the coconut dipped in distilled water and
3% (w/v) sodium metabisulfite.The aromatic coconut dipped inoxalic acid 2.5% (w/v) mixed with
4% sodium chloride and wrapped with PVC film was not observed to disease during 27 days of
storage.