Effect of chitosan coatings on some quality indices of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) during cold storage

In this study, the effectiveness of chitosan coating treatment to control weight loss and maintaining fruit quality of apricot was investigated. Fruits were coated with 0.25%, 0.5% and 0.75% chitosan as well as distilled water (control). Following treatments, fruits were stored at 0°C and 80 ± 2% relative humidity for 25 days. The weight loss, total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA, pH, vitamin C, total phenolics and antioxidant activity (DPPHsc%) were followed at an interval of 5 days up to 25 days. Weight loss from all treated and untreated fruits increased over storage time. The weight loss of chitosan coated fruits was increased in comparison to untreated samples. There was no significant difference for total soluble solids (TSS), titratable acidity (TA), TSS/TA, pH, vitamin C in coated and uncoated fruits storage. Chitosan coatings significantly increased the content of total phenolics and antioxidant activity, as 0.5% chitosan showed maximum total phenolics (82.65 mg GAE/100g) and antioxidant activity (23.77 DPPHsc%). The chitosan coatings proved to induce the antioxidant capacity and also to sustain the total phenolic content.