Conclusions
The results revealed that 1.5–2% concentration of neem oil as a surface coating along with pre-cooling at 10 °C
was the most effective in providing better physicochemical umbrella, significantly lowering the fruit spoilage.
The neem oil surface coating along with shrink wrap tray packing under 18–25 °C (65–75% RH) resulted the
longest storage life up to 45 days. Among three different concentrations of marigold flower extracts (10%, 15%,
20% ), higher retention of fruit firmness, pectin content, anthocyanin pigments, PG enzyme activity was recorded
by 20% marigold extract surface coating with shrink wrap tray packing along with pre cooling.
Future research should be needed to encourage the use of such botanicals for development of edible wax formulations
for other economically important fruits and to popularize among farmers.