LAUSR

Abstract The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was used to establish a predictive model for the effects of natural zeolite at different concentration and different storage times, as independent variables, on shelf life, physical and chemical properties, quality parameters and phytochemicals compounds of table grapes. The response surface models (RS model) had satisfactory R2 and Adj.R2 and models had non-significant lack of fit (P > 0.05). The parameters of the RS model had a good predictive performance and can be considered validated. The results demonstrated that natural zeolite is able to significantly improve the table grape tissue firmness, enhance different phytochemicals and antioxidants, and decrease water loss, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde production and decay extension rates. Treated fruit had a higher superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and total antioxidant activity and phenolics, flavonoids and carotenoids contents. Using desirability function method treatment of table grapes with zeolite at 6% and storage for 60 days was found to be the optimized condition.