International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology

International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology

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

Document Type : Research paper

Authors
Md. Yamin Kabir 1
Susmita Dhali 1
Shamim Ahmed Kamal Uddin Khan 1
Juan C. Díaz-Pérez 2
1 Agrotechnology Discipline
2 Dept. of Horticulture, University of Georgia, Tifton Campus, Tifton, GA
10.22059/ijhst.2025.379902.889
Abstract
Mango is a popular tropical fruit and is extensively cultivated in Bangladesh. However, high perishability shortens its storability and shelf life, leading to substantial postharvest loss. Chitosan may maintain fruit quality and extend the postharvest life of mango. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chitosan concentrations on mango fruit quality including shelf life. The experiment was conducted with 'Neelumbori' mangoes at Khulna University, Bangladesh, following a completely randomized design with four levels of chitosan (0.1%, 0.3%, 0.5%, and an untreated control) and three replications. Fruits physicochemical and microbial attributes including shelf life were evaluated. Chitosan at 0.5%, in comparison with the control, reduced the cumulative fruit weight loss (17.1% vs. 24.5%), disease incidence (26.7% vs. 80.0%), disease severity (48.3% vs. 81.7%), and extended the shelf life (10.42 days vs. 8.82 days) of mango. Chitosan also maintained fruit color attributes, total soluble solids, and titratable acidity. However, vitamin C content fluctuated due to the effects of chitosan treatments. Therefore, 0.5% chitosan was the most effective for conserving fruit quality and prolonging shelf life. However, more experiments should be conducted to determine the optimal chitosan concentration.
Keywords
Decay incidence
Decay severity
Physicochemical attributes
Chemical quality
Shelf life
Weight loss
International Journal of Horticultural Science and Technology
Volume 12, Issue 4
Summer 2025
Pages 1247-1260

  • Receive Date 25 July 2024
  • Revise Date 25 October 2024
  • Accept Date 05 June 2024