Chitosan Improves Postharvest Quality Attributes of Neelumbori Mango (Mangifera indica L. cv. Neelumbori)

Abstract

Mango is a widely cultivated tropical fruit in Bangladesh, but its high perishability limits its storability and shelf life, resulting in significant postharvest losses. Chitosan has shown potential for preserving fruit quality and extending the postharvest life of mangoes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different chitosan concentrations on mango fruit quality, including shelf life. The experiment was conducted on ‘Neelumbori’ mangoes at Khulna University, Bangladesh, using a completely randomized design with four chitosan treatments (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and an untreated control), each replicated three times. Various physicochemical and microbial attributes, including shelf life, were assessed. Compared to the control, the 0.5% chitosan treatment effectively reduced cumulative fruit weight loss (17.1% vs. 24.5%), disease incidence (26.7% vs. 80.0%), and disease severity (48.3% vs. 81.7%), while extending shelf life (10.42 d vs. 8.82 d). Chitosan also helped maintain fruit color attributes, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. However, vitamin C content fluctuated across treatments. Overall, the 0.5% chitosan concentration was the most effective in preserving fruit quality and prolonging shelf life. Further research is recommended to determine the optimal chitosan concentration for mango preservation.