Fig. 3 shows the changes in flesh firmness of control and treated fruit after eight days of storage. An overall comparison showed that there was no significant difference between chitosan at 1% or 1.5%.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.
thus reduced degradation of ascorbic acid.