Application of chitosan solutions on the storage of oranges in Viet Nam

Abstract

The effect of modified Chitosan solution used as a postharvest preserver of green orange was investigated in this research. After coated by diluted modified chitosan soltuion with different concentration, the fruits were stored at ambient temperature in cardboard for 7-8 weeks. The effect of various chitosan coating on fruit ripening behavior and physical characteristic such as freshness, loss weight, color of skin, surface strain…were evaluated during storage. The overall results showed superiority of modified chitosan solution of 300ppm in prolonging the shelf life of orange as compared to control and other concentrations. The modified chitosan solution of 300ppm and higher concentration had the same result in maintaining the fresh appearance and good quality up to 5 or 6 weeks. Until 7-8 weeks, the fruit treated with this concentration still kept as natural taste. In the other hand, the fruit without treatment stored just 2 week and with lower chitosan concentration decayed about 5 weeks. The result of this study showed that the coated orange using modified chitosan solution at concentration of 300ppm has shown an optimal concentration and has a excellent potential to extend the green orange’s shelf life. Keywords: Chitin, Chitosan, Green orange.