The effect of chitosan coating on physiochemical characteristics of ‘pearl’ guava fruit was investigated.
The fruit were treated with 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0% chitosan coatings, respectively, and then stored at 11
◦
C and
90–95% RH. Treatment with 2.0% chitosan significantly reduced firmness and weight loss, delayed changes
in chlorophyll and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents and soluble solids content (SSC), and retarded the
loss of titratable acidity (TA) and vitamin C during 12 days of storage. This treatment could induce a
significant increase in the activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT),
and inhibited superoxide free radical (O2
•−
) production. It was suggested that effects of chitosan on
increase of antioxidant ability might be beneficial in delaying ripening process in guava fruit during cold
storage.
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