The Effect of Chitosan Coating on the Quality and Nutraceutical Traits of Sweet Cherry During Postharvest Life

The effectiveness of a chitosan-coating treatment on the physical and chemical, nutraceutical, and sensorial traits of three sweet cherry cultivar (Prunus avium L., namely cvs. "Ferrovia," "Lapins," "Della Recca") harvested at the commercial ripening stage was evaluated. Fruits were treated with a 0.5 % chitosan coating, stored at 2 A degrees C for 14 days, and sampled weekly followed by storage at 24 A degrees C for 3 days to assess the shelf life of the fruit. Physical-chemical (weight loss, soluble solid content, and titratable acidity), nutraceutical (total polyphenol, anthocyanin, flavonoid, ascorbic acid content, antioxidant capacity), and sensory (fruit juiciness, sweetness, sourness, texture, and taste) evaluations were performed. A chitosan coating significantly reduced the water loss and delayed the changes in color, titratable acidity, ascorbic acid content, and respiration rate in a cultivar-dependent manner. Additionally, changes in the total polyphenol, anthocyanin, and flavonoid content and in the antioxidant capacity of the chitosan-coated sweet cherry fruits were delayed. This treatment extended the postharvest life, improved the storability, and enhanced the nutraceutical value of sweet cherry.