Chitosan coatings in the maintenance of strawberry quality during refrigerated storage / Revestimentos de quitosana na manutenção da qualidade de morango durante o armazenamento refrigerado

Abstract

 This study aimed to assess the use of chitosan coatings in the maintenance of postharvest quality of strawberries during refrigerated storage. The strawberries were selected, immersed in chitosan solution, packed and stored at 5°C for 20 days. The effect of different chitosan concentrations (0.5% and 1.0% w/v) on the qualitative aspects of the fruits was analyzed during storage. The parameters assessed were: weight loss, pH, titratable acidity, soluble solids, total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars and ascorbic acid. It was observed that refrigerated storage, associated with chitosan coatings, was effective in maintaining postharvest quality of strawberries, given that chitosan coatings delayed changes in weight loss, soluble solids, total sugars, reducing and non-reducing sugars, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid and pH during 20 days of storage. The chitosan concentration of 1.0% (w/v) was the most promising in maintaining quality, as well as preserving the fruits for more than 10 days under refrigeratio