Physicochemical and physiological responses of red-fleshed dragon fruit [Hylocereus polyrhizus (Weber) Britton and Rose] to low temperature conditioning and chitosan coating
2017
C astro, A.C.
The promise of profitability of dragon fruit is offset by its seasonality and short shelf life even at low temperature. There, it is challenge to develop or adapt strategies to maintain fruit quality during storage and poststorage. In this study, dragon fruit was subjected to low temperature conditioning treatment (LTC) and coated with 1% chitosan dispersion and monitored for their response at 18 deg C and poststorage at 20 deg C. Temperature conditioning for 3 days at 10 deg C maintained fruit visual quality, reduced the rate of bract color yellowing, weight loss and shriveling which lead to storage life of 4 weeks and shelf life of 6 days. Among 13 deg, 10 deg and 8 deg C, storage at 8 deg C was the most effective temperature in preserving dragon fruit quality. Sonication of 1% chitosan dispersion has shown no effect in the droplet size. However, 1% chitosan coating, generally improved fruit quality by enhancing the red color of the peel and maintained fruit quality even during poststorage. Fruit coated with 1% chitosan also exhibited reduced disease development. Fruit stored at 8 deg C ha s an early onset chilling injury as manifested by high respiration, ethylene production and electrolyte leakage. Fruit coated with 1% chitosan was effective in alleviating chilling injury as exhibited by its low respiration rate and ethylene production. Total phenolic content and antioxidant activity were also found to be higher in chitosan-coated than non-coated fruit.
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