Carboxymethyl cellulose from nata de coco, referred to as carboxymethyl-nata (CMN), was prepared by two cycles of mercerization and etherification. Coatings containing 1% and 2% CMN were applied on bell peppers to evaluate the effect of the polysaccharide coating on the post-harvest life of the fruits. The fruits were stored at 25 degrees C. During storage, the color change in CMN-coated fruits was slower than in the control and blank fruits (coated with additives only). CMN-coated fruits maintained firmness and had lower weight loss, total soluble solids content and titratable acidity than the control and blank. Antioxidant activity and total phenolic content increased from day 0 to day 15. CMN-coated fruits had lower total phenolic content than the control and blank at day 15. Values at day 15 did not indicate the retardation of antioxidant activity in the 1% CMN-coated fruits. Results indicated that CMN coatings reduced the rate of ripening.