Combined Application of Carboxymethyl Chitosan Coating and Brassinolide Maintains the Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Green Asparagus

Abstract

The combined effects of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCH) coating and brassinolide (BR) on the sensory quality and physicochemical characteristics of green asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) stored at 4 ± 1C and 90–95% relative humidity for 24 days were investigated. The combined treatment (CMCH + BR) inhibited respiration rate and water loss, maintained higher concentrations of ascorbic acid, total phenolics and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging activity, and restrained the increase of malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage of asparagus spears during storage. The activities of superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase and catalase were enhanced by CMCH + BR, while the activity of phenylalanine ammonia lyase was significantly inhibited, which resulted in lower lignin content and tender texture. Sensory evaluation also confirmed that the efficacy of CMCH + BR treatment was better than that of CMCH coating or BR treatment alone. Our study suggests that CMCH + BR coating has the potential to maintain the quality of asparagus spears and extend its postharvest life. Practical Applications This paper investigates the effect of carboxymethyl chitosan combined with brassinolide on the storage quality of green asparagus. The results presented demonstrate that the effect of the combined treatment on the sensory quality and physicochemical characteristics should be considered by processors as a preservation technique.