Scientific Study

The thymol fraction present in Ajwain seed essential oil (Aj) exhibits antioxidant properties that can mitigate horticultural crop losses after harvest. This study was designed to analyze the influence of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC 0.5 %) in combination with three concentrations of Aj (400, 800 and 1200 mg L−1) on fresh ‘Ahmad Aghaei’ pistachio fruits. After drying at ambient temperature and packaging, the fruits were stored at 2 ± 1 °C with 85 ± 2 % relative humidity. The combined treatments of CMC 0.5 % with Aj 400 and 800 scientifically controlled weight loss, chilling injury, decay, hull H2O2 levels, and enzyme activity compared to the control sample over an extended storage duration. The highest levels of chilling injury, decay and POD activity were observed in the samples treated with distilled water (control), while the lowest sensory scores were also recorded in the same treatment. Although CMC + Aj 1200 showed the highest chlorophyll content, it resulted in a negative effect on the aroma index. Combined treatments resulted in the highest lipid and hue index at the end of the storage period. In the control sample, the phenolic compounds decreased by 54 %, whereas the pistachios treated with CMC + Aj 800 experienced a 31 % decrease in phenolics. Overall, the application of CMC + Aj 800 successfully preserved the quantitative and qualitative attributes of Ahmad Aghaei pistachios for up to 50 days.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jspr.2025.102858