Fig. 3 shows the changes in flesh firmness of control and treated
fruit after eight days of storage. Initial flesh firmness decreased for
all treatments, however chitosan coatings retained more initial
flesh firmness of fruit in contrast to uncoated fruit. An overall
comparison showed that there was no significant difference
between chitosan at 1% or 1.5%. This same result was observed with
the use of chitosan incorporating LPOS or LPOSI. LPOS with or
without iodine did not influence chitosan protection against
firmness lost. These results indicate that fruit firmness is preserved
by chitosan coating and not by the presence of the enzyme system.
Reduction of respiration and water loss could be responsible for the
retention of firmness. Using a suitable coating could maintain that
strength (Tasdelen and Bayindirli, 1998).