Impact of chitosan on quality and storability of plums (Prunus salicina) under supermarket conditions

Abstract

In the present study, effect of chitosan coating on storage quality of plum fruit (Prunus salicina Lindley. cv. Santa Rosa) was investigated under supermarket conditions during 2013 at ICAR-IARI. After coating the plum fruits with 2% chitosan and water, they were stored at 20±1°C and 90±2% RH for 15 days. Fruit firmness, colour characteristics (hue and chroma), respiration and ethylene evolution rate, physiological loss in weight, antioxidant activity and total phenols were measured along with the activities for pectin methylesterase and malondialdehyde content. Chitosan application resulted in better firmness of fruits, retarded ethylene evolution and respiration rates and least colour changes as compared with the control. Reduction of total phenolics and antioxidant activity were also significantly inhibited by chitosan. Furthermore, fruits coated with chitosan also exhibited a significantly lower pectin methylesterase activity throughout the storage period. Moreover, the production of malondialdehyde was significantly reduced in the coated samples. The results clearly demonstrate that dip treatment of fruits in 2% chitosan could be an effective means to enhance the shelf-life and maintain postharvest quality of Santa Rosa plums during storage.