Effect of chitosan coating on postharvest diseases and fruit quality of mango (Mangifera indica)

The objective of this work was to study the effect of postharvest chitosan coating on fruit quality and shelf life of mango (Mangifera indica L.) during storage at ambient condition. Physiologically mature freshly harvested mango fruits (cv. Langra) were treated with chitosan solutions (0%, 0.5%, 0.75% or 1.0%) containing 0.5% acetic acid for 1 min and stored at ambient condition (25 +/- 2 degrees C, 85 +/- 5% RH). Treatment with 1.0% and 0.75% chitosan significantly reduced weight loss and disease incidence of fruit compared to control. These treatments also maintained higher ascorbic acid, total phenolics content and total antioxidant activity than other treatments. However, development of peel colour and total carotenoids content in the fruit pulp was suppressed by chitosan 1.0% treated fruits. Treatment of mango with chitosan also delayed increase in the total soluble solids and decrease in titratable acidity compared to control. No significant differences were recorded between chitosan 0.75% and 1.0% treated fruits except for peel colour development and total carotenoids content. These results indicated that 0.75% chitosan coating could preserve fruit quality, reduce disease incidence and extend shelf life of mango up to 12 days during storage at ambient condition.