Effect of Chitosan Coating on Postharvest Quality and Shelf Life of Dragon Fruits (Hylocereus spp.) at Ambient Condition

Though dragon fruits are getting popularity day by day, its postharvest management is not satisfactory. The study investigates the effect of chitosan coating on postharvest quality and shelf life of dragon fruits at ambient condition. The treatments were four levels of chitosan solution (control, 0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%) and three varieties of dragon fruits (pink, white and yellow fleshed). The experiment was laid out in a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. There was significant difference regarding physico-chemical parameters viz. weight loss, firmness, total soluble solids, titratable acidity, vitamin C, total flavonoid, antioxidant activity, total carotenoid content and shelf life. At 9 DAS, the highest firmness (3.07 N), vitamin C (19.61 mg100g^-1), total flavonoid content (23.97 mg100g^-1), total carotenoid content (28 mg100g^-1), antioxidant activity (67.50%) and lowest TA (0.13%) were observed in pink fleshed fruits coated by 0.5% chitosan and the lowest values were obtained in white fleshed uncoated fruits. On the other hand, the lowest weight loss (3.2%) and TSS content (10.67 °Brix) was found in pink fleshed 0.5% chitosan coated fruits and the highest values were recorded in white fleshed uncoated fruits. The shelf life of fruits extended to almost 17 days with 0.5% chitosan compared to 9 days without any treatment. Therefore, it is concluded that pink fleshed dragon fruit with 0.5% chitosan may be suggested for storing dragon fruits at ambient condition.

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