Chitosan Coating to Extend the Storage Life of Tomatoes

Abstract

The effect of chitosan on respiration, ethylene production, and quality attributes of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) fruit stored at 20C was investigated. Coating the fruit with chitosan solutions reduced the respiration rate and ethylene production, with greater effect at 2% than 1% chitosan. Coating increased the internal CO, and decreased the internal O 2 levels of the tomatoes. Chitosan-coated tomatoes were firmer, higher in titratable acidity, less decayed, and exhibited less red pigmentation than the control fruit at the end of storage. Chemical name used: 2-amino-2- deoxy-p-D)-glucan (chitosan).