Effect of Chitosan Coating on the Physiochemical Characteristics of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Fruits During Storage at Room Temperature

Abstract

The effect of chitosan coating on the physico-chemical characteristics of guava cv. Allahabad Safeda fruits stored at room temperature (28-32°C and 32-41% RH) was investigated. The fruits were treated with chitosan (1% and 2%) to study its effect on the postharvest life and quality of guava. Various storage attributes were studied at successive intervals of storage. In general, Physiological Loss in Weight (PLW %), respiration rate and TSS increased while firmness and acidity decreased with storage duration. Among various treatments, 1% chitosan treatment was found effective in extending the shelf life upto7 days, as it delayed ripening and retained greater firmness with reduced PLW%. However, the fruits treated with 2% chitosan showed uneven ripening and didn’t turn yellow even at the end of shelf life, attributed to CO2 injury. Keywords: Chitosan, Guava, Postharvest Quality, Respiration, Storage