Effects of preharvest chitosan-Myrtus communis essential oil composite and postharvest nanocellulose on quality of strawberry.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of preharvest chitosan-Myrtus communis essential oil composite (1.5 and 3.0 %) and postharvest nanocellulose (0.3 and 0.6 %) on the quality of strawberries. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis led to identification of 32 compounds in the Myrtus communis essential oil. The study showed that using CHS-ES composite coating for foliar application could increase the lifespan of the fruit by up to 24 days. This is because it increases the levels of components, such as phenol content (TPC) total flavonoids content (TFC) vitamin C, firmness and SSC. It also enhances the effectiveness of enzymes such, as glutathione peroxidase (GSH POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO). The use of CHS-ES treatments reduced the weight loss of fruits between 50 and 80 %, which is very important from the commercial point of view and maintaining nutritional properties, marketability and appearance. The microscopic analysis further revealed that using CHS-ES composite + nanocellulose coating produced a more continuous and uniform surface than the control. In general, this method is both safe and environmentally friendly while also proving to be effective, in preserving and enhancing the quality of strawberries.

Pre-harvest application of chitosan and postharvest Aloe vera gel coating enhances quality of table grape (Vitis vinifera L. cv. 'Yaghouti') during postharvest period.

The present study evaluated impact of pre-harvest foliar spraying with chitosan (2.0% and 3.0%) and post-harvest Aloe vera gel (AVG) coating (25% and 33%) to determine the quality of table grape during storage. The results showed that both treatments significantly influenced the storage lifetime of this fruit. In addition, the chitosan and AVG combinations minimized the incidence of decay and reduced the weight loss more than that of chitosan, AVG and control samples. 25 days once the foliar application of chitosan 3.0% with AVG 33% coating extending the storage life of fruit up to 15 days by significantly reducing decay index, malondialdehyde, weight loss and polyphenol oxidase also, maintaining the overall quality index, firmness, antioxidant capacity, peroxidase, total phenols, anthocyanin, SSC and vitamin C. Based on the findings, these natural compound treatments could be considered as suitable alternatives to extend the marketable period of table grapes and minimize post-harvest losses.