The additional variable of a chitosan dip was introduced at postharvest.
The chitosan used in this study was in powdered form with
85% deacetylation. The product was purchased from Polymar
Ci^encia e Nutriç~ao S/A, Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil. The chitosan was
dissolved in 1% acetic acid and diluted to a concentration of 1%.
Potassium silicate was obtained from PQ Silicas Brazil LTDA, Rio
Claro, S~ao Paulo, Brazil. This product contained 12.28% silicon and
was dissolved in water to a final concentration of 500 mg L1.