Effect of postharvest treatment of chitosan coating on fruit skin color and flesh color of Guava cv. Lucknow 49 (Psidium guajava L.)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of chitosan coating on Guava fruit for extension of shelf life at two different concentration (1 and 1.5 percent) on Guava cv. Lucknow 49 fruits (pre harvest spray with Ca (No3) 2 at 1 and 2 percent) at two different color maturity stages of Green Mature (MG) and Color Turning stage (CT) and stored the fruits at room temperature (28± 2 °C & 60 ± 10% RH). Pre harvest spray with CaNo3 at 1 & 2% and post harvest treatment of fruits (MG stage) with chitosan @ 1% significantly delayed decline in physiological loss in weight, total soluble solids and more retention of firmness, acidity, ascorbic acid, sugars, phenols and total colour difference during storage. The treatment of CaNo3 (2.0%) + chitosan (1.5%) was most effective treatment in modulating physic - chemical changes in guava fruits and enhancing keeping quality of guava during storage.